GASTONIA, N.C. — This Christmas the Gastonia Police Department says they will host a Virtual Shop with a COP event to bring children gifts this holiday season.
Officers say instead of in-person shopping at Target or Breakfast with Santa, they will shop online, pick up purchased items, and deliver the gifts to kids on December 18th.
βThis is the sixth year we are hosting Shop with a COP and we are truly excited to partner with the Gastonia Police Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston, and Target to help the youth in our community have a wonderful holiday season!β said Chief Travis Brittain. βThis yearβs event will look a little different due to the pandemic, but we will be working to make it as special as we can for each child.β
Officials say the Gastonia Police Foundation will give officers $250 Target pre-paid gift cards to buy presents online that usually include clothes, shoes, and toys for 25 children chosen by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston.
On Friday, December 18th around 3:30 p.m. a procession of police cars with lights and sirens will leave for the Boys and Girls Club on Boyd Street to deliver the presents, according to a news release.
Police say Blue Santa will help with delivering gifts and will say a brief message to the children before the presents are handed out.
Officials with the Gastonia Police Department say they are selling its 4th annual collectors Christmas ornaments to help raise funds for the children’s gifts, the $20 ornament features a 3-D police K-9 and paper ornaments are on sale for $5 to be signed and placed in the GPD public lobby.
Ornaments can be purchased in person at the GPD front desk on Long Avenue, online here, or by mail to Gastonia Police Foundation, P.O. Box 336, Gastonia, N.C. 28053.
Police say they will also accept checks payable to the Gastonia Police Foundation with a note that the check is for “Shop with a COP,” and anyone with further questions can call 704-869-1990.
