Shop With a Cop Brings Holiday Joy to Alachua Children

ALACHUA – Community partnerships and volunteer support helped make the 2025 Shop with a Cop event a memorable experience for dozens of local children, according to the Alachua Police Department.

The annual holiday program brought officers together with local students for a day centered on connection, generosity and positive interaction. Police officials credited sponsors, volunteers and community partners for helping create an event that focused on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and young people.

“This year’s Shop with a Cop event was a tremendous success,” the department stated, noting that the generosity, time and support of community partners played a key role in making the day special for participating families.

Fifty students from local schools were selected to take part in the program, which included a shopping trip to Walmart. Each child received $100 to spend on items of their choice. While many participants selected toys, clothing or school supplies, several children chose to use their funds to purchase gifts for family members, organizers said.

Adding to the excitement, officers provided a police escort to and from the store, turning the shopping trip into a festive experience that many children described as unforgettable. The escort, along with the opportunity to shop alongside officers, helped create an atmosphere of celebration and trust.

Before the shopping trip, children were treated to pizza generously donated by New York Pizza Plus. Police officials said the meal helped kick off the day on a joyful note and gave participants a chance to relax and interact with officers in an informal setting.

Programs such as Shop with a Cop are designed to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and youth while addressing practical needs during the holiday season. By pairing officers with children in a supportive environment, the initiative aims to promote understanding, mentorship and a sense of community.

Police officials expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event, emphasizing that the impact extends beyond a single day.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and helped make a lasting impact on the children and families in our community,” the department said.

Organizers said the success of this year’s event underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, businesses and volunteers, and they hope to continue the tradition in years to come.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and helped make a lasting impact on the children and families in our community.

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