Kids get a chance to 'Shop with a Cop' Saturday

Underprivileged children in Sarasota with be paired with officers and others with the Sarasota Police Department to “Shop with a Cop” on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Sarasota Housing Authority will partner with the Sarasota Police Department, Target stores and Sarasota County Area Transit to provide a shopping spree at the Target store at 5350 Fruitville Road, courtesy of $15,000 in donated gift cards. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

”This special event showcases SHA’s commitment to providing positive, uplifting experiences for our youth while promoting mutual respect with our Sarasota police partners,” said Sarasota Housing Authority CEO William Russell. "Many of our kids who have participated in past events reminisce about what a positive experience it was to shop with and get to know SPD officers."

An annual event, Shop with a Cop pairs children with both sworn and civilian members of SPD. The Housing Authority raises more than $15,000 for this event through its 501(c)(3) affiliate, Sarasota Housing Funding Corp.

“We’ve partnered with the Sarasota Housing Authority for more than a decade to foster strong relationships with children in our community,” said SPD Chief Rex Troche. “We’re looking forward to another year of building relationships with local children and their families, especially during the holidays at this special shopping event."

Shop with a Cop is made possible by donations by Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Communities Unified, Target, First Horizon Foundation, Gary Dornbush, United Universalist Social Justice Committee and other private donors.

Donations to the program may be made payable to Sarasota Housing Funding Corp. with “Shop with a Cop” written in the memo line. Checks or cash donations can be dropped off at the Sarasota Housing Authority, 269 S. Osprey Ave.