Applause: Kids shop with cops at annual events
Published 1:30 am Friday, December 23, 2016
Local police officers recently spent time with kids at shopping centers, helping to make their seasons bright with some gift shopping.
The “Heroes and Helpers” event saw 27 officers from the Everett Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and Mill Creek Police Department team with with the Everett Target to provide 77 children with gifts.
“It’s such an amazing event not only for these children and their families, but for the police officers as well,” said event organizer Det. Jamie French of the Everett Police Department.
In addition to shopping, the children got goody bags, photos with Santa and a pizza dinner with cookies for dessert. Local social service providers referred the children, who ranged in age from 3 months to 17 years.
The Everett Police Officers Association and Everett Target were the sponsors. The event is funded by donations from officers, civilian employees, and their families and friends.
The Lynnwood Police Department also held its own Shop with a Cop event, benefiting 17 mothers and their children from the Pathways for Women YWCA.
The event was made possible by the Lynnwood Fred Meyer, Lynnwood Police Guild and individual donations received throughout the year. More than 30 officers and public safety volunteers took part.
Chance to be generous, thanks to Rotary
More than 60 members of the South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club turned out Dec. 10 to help 40 children shop for gifts to give their families, friends and teachers — while also getting a little something for themselves.
The Rotary has provided the holiday shopping spree for more than 25 years. This year’s children came from the South Everett-Mukilteo Boys and Girls Club, the Salvation Army, local shelters, schools and churches.
Rotary members raised more than $4,000 for the effort, with help from the South Everett Fred Meyer and from Cascade High School students, who wrapped the gifts. Santa also paid a visit.
“It was a great event to help spread some holiday cheer to our community,” said Steve Shea, who led the program for the Rotary.
Learn more at www.semr.org.
109 bikes to Christmas House
Thanks to hundreds of hours of volunteer time and donated bicycles, Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop was able to fix and give 109 bikes to kids through Christmas House this month.
The nonprofit shop gives year-round, with a place for bike geeks to hang out, homeless folks a place to pump up their tires, and free advice while you repair your bike, pick out a used bike or buy a special part.
Donations and volunteers help keep the nonprofit afloat. Learn more at sharingwheels.wordpress.com. Sharing Wheels is at 2531 Broadway, Everett.
Fastpitch teams collect toys for kids
Players and families with the Pacific Fury Fastpitch organization collected toys to benefit children served by the Les Schwab Tire Centers Forgotten Children’s Fund. Nearly 90 athletes from the seven Fury teams took part.
“They learn to be teammates, to be selfless and that there are much more important things in life than just thinking of themselves,” Fury founder Stanley Peterson said.
Company aids Kids in Transition
Insurance Services Group of Edmonds donated several hundred dollars worth of gift cards to Washington Kids in Transition to help stuff stockings. The company also helped set up the Washington Kids Christmas Shop, where local families were able to shop for gifts to give their children.
Those were just two ways the company got in the holiday spirit. A Christmas Cubicle Contest and open house added to the fun.
Washington Kids in Transition is a nonprofit focused on serving homeless students in the Edmonds School District. Learn more at washingtonkidsintransition.org.
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