Press release

Donations sought for the Annual Eastern “Sierra Shop with a Cop”.

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is literally right around the corner! Law enforcement officers and public safety staff from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies throughout Mono and Inyo Counties are busy planning the Annual Shop with a Cop event. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 08, 2018.

This is a very special day where our local law enforcement brings the true spirit of Christmas to families in need throughout the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley. Shop with a Cop provides children with an opportunity to develop a relationship that can make a very positive difference in their lives. This program allows children to go Christmas shopping with a local law enforcement officer to buy gifts for their loved ones. The program was started because most law enforcement personnel are also parents and understand how difficult the holiday season can be for everyone. The holidays are even more stressful for single-parent households, or families experiencing hardships due to job lay-offs, illnesses or other unforeseen circumstances that have created financial hardships.

On Saturday morning, the children are picked up at their homes by their law enforcement “partners” and taken to breakfast. After breakfast, the officers and children respond Code 3 (lights and sirens) through Bishop to K-Mart to start the shopping extravaganza. Each child is given $200 to shop for gifts for their families. After all the gifts have been purchased, local volunteers wrap the gifts and the officers and children travel home where an early Christmas celebration begins!

Our goal for the 2018 Shop with a Cop event is to provide Christmas to 60 children and their families. This event is completely donation driven. Let’s start getting into the holiday spirit and donate to this great event today! Donations can be dropped off at the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Bishop Police Department and Mammoth Lakes Police Department. Please make checks payable to E.S.P.O.A. (Eastern Sierra Peace Officers Association) with “Shop-with-a-Cop” written in the memo line. Your donation is tax deductible.

Anyone can nominate a family using our nomination form. Forms can be picked up from the Bishop Police Department and are also available online or email us at easternsierrashopwithacop@gmail.com and one can be sent to you. The deadline for turning in Nomination Forms is by 5:00 PM on Friday, November 30, 2018.

We thank you for your donation to bring Christmas to children in need throughout the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley!