Shop with a Cop Organizing officer hopes kids have Christmas gifts

Published: November 12, 2007 | 6825th good news item since 2003

Edmond police Sgt. Paul Barbour takes his job of coordinating the annual “Shop with a Cop” program to heart because of what he experienced growing up in the projects in north Tulsa.

Barbour, a 20-year Edmond police officer, lived with his brother, Chris, and their mother in a place he said was not safe and wasn’t a good environment for two young boys.

“We were on welfare and food stamps,” said Barbour, a day shift supervisor. “We didn’t get a lot of Christmas gifts.”

He said he doesn’t want that to happen to other young people.

Barbour is coordinator again this year of the “Shop with a Cop” program sponsored by Edmond’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 136. Less fortunate children, prescreened by Edmond’s Hope Center, will be given money to go Christmas shopping with a police officer Dec. 9 at Wal-Mart, 15{+t}{+h} Street and Interstate 35.

Last year, more than 60 children and 35 police officers participated in the program. Each child was given $115 to spend on Christmas gifts for themselves or others.

The program runs on private donations, civic groups and businesses.

The amount of money each child will receive depends on how much is donated.

Published in Charity
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