The Southwest Colorado chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police is looking for donations to help fund its Shop with a Cop program that provides children from low-income families with Christmas presents.
Shop with a Cop pairs children with police officers to take them shopping.
Officers buy the children clothing and toys, typically spending about $125 per child – $75 going toward clothing and $50 for toys.
FOP Lodge 8, made up of almost 100 law enforcement officers from agencies across La Plata, San Juan and Archuleta counties, has conducted Shop with a Cop for 25 years. Lodge 8 would like to serve 130 children this year.
This year’s event will be held Dec. 13.
“We do the entire event in one morning. Last year, we spent over $17,000 over a period of a couple hours,” said Durango Police Department Sgt. Nick Stasi, who is treasurer for FOP Lodge 8. “We’re always looking for donations to help us make this a success.”
FOP Lodge 8 is a nonprofit, and donations are tax deductible.
Donations can be made to Shop with a Cop and mailed to FOP Lodge 8; P.O. Box 2172; Durango, CO 81302.
