Photo by Gwen Sour From left, Sgt. Tyson Estes checks out with Jeremiah Shepherd during Saturday’s Shop with a Cop hosted at the Marietta Walmart.

The Marietta Police Department’s annual Shop With a Cop program returned this holiday season, pairing local law enforcement officers with children and families for a shopping trip intended to ease financial strain while fostering positive relationships between police and the community.

The program, which began in 2014, is organized through the Third Order of Police Lodge 12, also known as the Pioneer City Lodge. Sgt. Errol Kramer of the Marietta Police Department said the effort serves between 25 and 30 children each year. This year, 26 children participated.

“We continue to try and grow it,” Kramer said. “We reach out to the school system, EVE Shelter and Children Services, and try to get a list of names of families that are in need. We also get calls from families, usually starting around Halloween, and we have a short application process.”

Each participating child is paired with an officer for a shopping trip, with a spending limit determined by annual fundraising totals. Kramer said this year’s limit was $300 per child, higher than in some previous years due to strong community support and a smaller group of participants.

“We usually fall between $200 and $300,” Kramer said. “This year we had a good fundraising year, and we only had 26 kids instead of the 30 to 35 we’ve had before, so we were able to do a little bit more for each kid.”

Purchases typically include a mix of toys and necessities. Kramer said children often select toys while parents help guide purchases toward clothing and household items.

“Between toys and clothes, those are the biggest things we see,” he said. “Every now and then we’ll see bedding, pillows or blankets.”

This year’s event also included participation from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, the Marietta Law Director and the Marietta College Police Department, which is part of the lodge.

“For the families and the kids to be able to work with us in a manner that’s not enforcement-related, that’s huge,” Kramer said. “That helps build those bridges.”

Christie Hoskinson said the program provides critical assistance for families who are struggling financially.

“I can’t afford my kids’ clothes and stuff like that,” Hoskinson said. “This is our first year, and it’s really helpful.”

Jeremiah Shepherd said the experience of shopping alongside officers was meaningful.

“It means a lot, it was something I didn’t expect to happen,” Shepherd said. “If they didn’t have it, it would be hard for people to get more Christmas presents. I’m just glad the cops helped with the Christmas shopping. It means a lot.”

Organizers said the program is entirely funded through donations and community fundraising, and they plan to continue the event in the future.

Contact Gwen Sour at gsour@newsandsentinel.com