Shop with a Cop
Shop with a Cop
The Bob McCarthy Foundation Supports Local Law Enforcement’s Holiday Tradition
Pictures / Submitted
Our own Police Officer and School Safety Agent, Amber Graham, took children from the Ellicottville Central School’s Special Education Department to Walmart on Tuesday, December 10th to “Shop with a Cop.” Sponsored by The Bob McCarthy Foundation, this annual event is spearheaded and organized by the Ellicottville Police Department and is a wonderful way that the department gives back to our community.
The children spent time leading up to this event planning their trip! They made lists of items they needed and exchanged lists with their classmates. They spent time learning to budget the monies they would have to spend so they could fill their Christmas lists efficiently. After buying gifts for their classmates, they also bought wrapping paper, tape, and ribbons and learned how to wrap the presents for Christmas. They also had enough money to buy items for fun projects to do in their classrooms in the weeks ahead.
The day was filled with smiles and fun for the kids. After their big shopping spree, they were treated to pizza at Tim and Bonnie’s Restaurant.
Officer Graham told me that this was an incredibly fun and rewarding event to watch the children learn so many skills involved in gift buying for others during this special time of year. They also were able to interact with Officer Graham and learn that their school safety agent was there to help them, and they should feel comfortable around the police as someone they can trust if they need help.
From the photos of the event, you can certainly see the joy on their faces. Thank you to Officer Graham, the teacher aides, and The Bob McCarthy Foundation for their support to make this event a possibility.
It is through the generosity of our community that supports The Bob McCarthy Foundation that we can budget for and endorse events like this. For more information on the foundation, our history and our vision, please visit www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com or visit our Facebook page. We just wrapped up our annual fundraiser, Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas on December 6th where we were able to raise money so we can support events like this. Bob would love this as he was a Special Education teacher in the Buffalo School District before retiring to Ellicottville. Please consider a donation to us and send to: The Bob McCarthy Foundation, PO Box 301, Ellicottville, NY 14731.