Cops & Kids bring smiles at Christmas

Just walking through the doors, one could sense the excitement! The lights were festive and bright, Christmas tunes were turned up on the loud speaker, kids and their families were buzzing around in anticipation, and costumed characters added to the feeling of Christmas. Even the Grinch was there, DANCING with people!

"Cops & Kids" (formerly known as Shop with a Cop) celebrated yet another year of true giving. This year, the F.O.P Alan Ragsdale Memorial Lodge #73, along with several volunteers, met up with 29 families at Walmart for the annual tradition of shopping for Christmas gifts with a Cop. From socks to Yoda sweaters, deodorants and Rapunzel toothbrushes, candles and hair ties, members of the Lodge walked around with guardians and their kids as they picked out the necessities of life. "Due to the generous giving of local businesses and community donations," said President Adam Barnes, "this year's budget was raised to $125 per kid."

A partnership with Hope Hohenwald, Inc. this year also allowed each family to receive a bag of toys to put under the Christmas tree to wake up to on Christmas morning.

The F.O.P Alan Ragsdale Memorial Lodge #73 works throughout the year to raise funds for this event. You can find them cooking at the black and blue trailer at several local events, including Oktoberfest, Christmas Bazaar at the school, Rock the Lot, Jingle Jeeps and more. "Since Covid," stated Barnes, "we have not had the highly successful Bass Tournament. We are working on changing that for 2024 and look forward to sharing that news with you about that." He goes on to say, "Thank you to every single person that gave a cent, ordered from the food truck, or volunteered to shop to help this great cause. We live in a blessed community. Of that, there is no doubt."