Six-year-old Hunter was a study in patience as he waited his turn to pick toys at the annual Shop with a Cop event Wednesday at the Durango Walmart.
His 1-year-old brother Henry was aglow as he gazed in wide wonder at the robot he’d picked out. Meanwhile, Henry’s 4-year-old sister Natalie was taking her sweet time as she scrutinized the baby dolls and a tea set on a trolley cart with the refined discernment of someone well beyond her years.
“You need to pick which toy you want or we’ll be stuck here for hours, literally,” said mom Kaysee Giegrich of Bayfield. “You can pick more than one.”
Natalie’s eyes widened as the magical words “more than one” sunk in and filtered to her fingers that suddenly blurred with motion as they plucked toys from the shelf with reckless abandon.
“She thought she could only get one so she was being picky,” Giegrich said to La Plata County Sheriff’s Deputy Dean Brown, who kept a running tally as he accompanied the family. The children were each allowed $150 to spend with the idea being that $90 would go toward clothes and $60 to toys.
“It’s not a hard and fast rule, just the general idea,” Brown said at his third Shop with a Cop event. “It’s fun to watch the kids look for toys and see the joy on their face.”
The local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police has been hosting Shop with a Cop for 30 years. The event pairs children and families in need with law enforcement officers who walk the store shopping with a family. This year, 150 children from 55 families took part in the event, which began at a sleepy-eyed 6 a.m. so that the kids had time to shop before school.
Children were greeted by a sea of law enforcement officers from nine different agencies upon their arrival, including a blue-suited Santa Claus with a badge. Many of the children walked side-by-side with the officers as they shopped, and when asked said being with the police was better than the toys.
Hunter figured they were about equal. He had a hard time waking up for the event, “but the mention of toys and police officers made it easier,” said his mother, Kaysee, who then praised his patience as sister Natalie finished her flurried spree. “You’ve been really patient, Hunter. I’m so proud of you. Now it’s your turn.”
But no sooner had Hunter began his beeline for his chosen toy aisle in search of Beyblades, “which are cool because they fight,” than his patience was tested once again.
“You can’t get those because Grandma thinks Santa might get it,” his mom said.
Turns out, grandmothers have back-channel communications with Santa Claus. Without grimace or complaint, Hunter switched gears and went in search of Bakugans instead. They are little transformers, his mom said.
“It’s on the cartoons,” added Hunter, who picked out a Discovery Microscope set along the way. “It’s a science experiment.”.
An older girl, pulled by an invisible force as strong as any magnet, shot past deputy Brown as he noted the price of the microscope set.
“Are you having fun?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she answered, a big smile spread across her face as she honed in on the second-to-last pair of Disney “Frozen” Walkie Talkies.
An aisle away, Durango detective and SWAT member Collin Harvey shopped with the Cundiff clan, which consisted of two foster and five adopted children.
“How many money I have?” asked Harvey’s shadow, 7-year-old Anthony Cundiff.
“You guys have about forty bucks more,” said Harvey, who just happened to be with the Cundiff family last year. “You’re doing good on toys.”
It’s the third year that Beth Cundiff of Bayfield has brought her clan to Shop with a Cop.
“We do this because we have a foster home and it’s great for our kids,” she said. “A lot of our kids have had experiences with police officers that weren’t positive, so this gives them a chance to have a positive experience.”
Anthony’s twin brother Adan made clear that “being with the police man” was the best part. Harvey in turn praised the children and the event.
“I think the Shop with a Cop program is fantastic,” he said. “We really appreciate all our donors who have provided over the years for the less fortunate. Just being able to hang out with the kids for a couple of hours and seeing their faces light up getting to hang out with a police officer and seeing the toys – and I don’t have children – so it is awesome.”
Eight-year-old Nova Trujillo and her mom Andrea Michel of Durango, finished their shopping and headed to the register with Fort Lewis College Police officer Rickey Thomas pushing the cart.
“Being with the police is the best part because he is fun,” Nova said.
“I try,” Thomas said. “You’re fun, too.”
Shop with a Cop was a new experience for mom and daughter.
“I think it’s amazing, really awesome,” Michel said. “It brings the police down to our level and just shows how they are a part of our community. They not only serve and protect, they are a part of the community.”
Thomas said he enjoyed being with the community and the kids and doing something positive.
“Smiles are always good,” he said. “We don’t get a lot of those.”
Michel said she didn’t know what to expect when they arrived but now hopes to do it again next year.
“These are things that we really, really needed honestly,” she said in reference to the clothes and toys in the cart. “We really enjoyed it. And we really appreciate it,” she added to officer Thomas.
Nova thanked Thomas with a big smile and a handshake. She also got her photo taken with Santa, who closely resembled a certain Durango police sergeant named Will Sweetwood.
“What I enjoy is just the smile on the kids’ faces and kids getting what they want,” Sweetwood said in between children running up for hugs. “Just ensuring everybody in the community gets a Christmas, and especially the kids.”
Durango Police Chief Bob Brammer has participated in Shop with a Cop for all of the 17 years he’s been on the force.
“It’s the faces, just seeing the gratitude the kids’ experience,” he said when asked his favorite part of the event. “Some of the families don’t always see us in the greatest light, so this a chance to come together.”
Law enforcement agencies that participated in the Durango Shop with a Cop were: Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff’s office, Bayfield Marshal’s Office, Fort Lewis College Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Ignacio Police Department, Southern Ute Tribal Police Department, Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and officers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Another Shop with a Cop event was held earlier in December in Pagosa Springs that was attended by 55 children from 20 families.
All of the money raised for Shop with a Cop comes from private donations through the Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge 8. Donations can be made by mailing a check to Shop with a Cop, P.O. Box 2172, Durango, CO 81302.
gjaros@durangoherald.com
