BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Blairsville Police Department enters its 19th year participating in the Shop with a Cop program, and through generous donations and fundraisers, over 100 underprivileged children will be receiving Christmas presents this year.

On Dec. 14, officers will meet the children at Union County Middle School before taking them shopping at the local Walmart. Children are chosen to participate with the help of Union County Family Connection, which works to meet the needs of children in the school system.

It’s common for children participating in the program to buy items for their siblings and parents, never thinking of themselves during their shopping expedition.

“This year, I know we have some who are in elementary school, and we have some that are all the way up into high school,” Said Police Chief Michael “Bear” Baxter.

Around 64 families are benefitting from Shop with a Cop, they will be receiving food baskets from Fellowship of the Hills Church, $100 gift card for groceries at Save A Lot, and the children will have lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A.

Shop with a Cop is only possible due to the hospitality of those in the community, not only law enforcement, but their significant others, teachers, the Blairsville Cruisers, and everyone who donates funds toward the event.

“We live in a good community, where people have been very, very generous in giving to us, and in return, 100 percent of the proceeds that we collect for this cause goes to Shop with a Cop,” stated Baxter, “and we spend that money locally.”