White County Library receives funding for Summer Reading

‘Tis the season for giving and gifting and heart-warming stories, and Sparta Police Department got in on the action during their third annual Shop with a Cop event.

The event, which is held across the country each December, aims to pair local law enforcement officers with at-risk elementary school-aged children for a shopping spree. The event, which not only provides a little light and hope during the holiday season, also serves to instill a positive experience with law enforcement in the young participants that organizers hope will carry into their adolescence and adulthood.

“We are proud to be able to offer the Shop with a Cop event again this year,” Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff said. “Hopefully, this will give the children an experience that will help them see us as people here to help them and let us build relationships with them.”

Sparta’s Shop with a Cop event is funded through radio personality Marty McFly’s annual Blue Light Ride and is overseen by Kyle Goff, CEO at Sparta/White County Family YMCA, who serves as fiduciary partner for the event, while the YMCA is the chief sponsor of McFly’s Blue Light Ride, which took place in August.

The Blue Light Ride, which is a police-led, motorcycle ride, along with donations made from White County residents, raised $7,000 to be used to buy gifts for 35 children who were identified through the White County school system as those who could benefit from a little extra attention and love this holiday season.

“I really have to thank Kyle for all of the hard work organizing this and taking care of the logistics and the financial obligations for the event,” Chief Doug Goff said.

On the evening of Dec. 15, Sparta Police officers met with their young shopping-spree partners at Walmart and spent time filling carts with toys, games, and clothes as they shopped together, traded stories, and formed friendships that Chief Goff hopes will last for many years to come.

“The Shop with a Cop event was a huge success,” Goff said. “Seeing the kids smiles and knowing that they had a great evening leaves us with hope that we are making a difference in their futures.”