After lunch, the families were treated to Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart. The children’s shopping spree was funded by T T & E Iron & Metal, Inc., a local Garner business, who provided money for each child and money for the families to use for gas, groceries, and other household expenses. Owners Scott and Ronnie Thompson told the families, “This is our chance to give back to our community. Garner has been a great place for us to do business, and we look forward to this event each year.” This is the third year that T T & E has helped the Garner Police Department with this event. Each child was paired up with a volunteer from the police department or T T & E to help with the shopping. The children bought clothes, toys, and other necessities with their money. Many of the families spoke of how this event was such a blessing for them during the Christmas season. The families are selected from local schools by guidance counselors working in conjunction with Investigator Amy Miller, who is the GPD Explorer Post Advisor.
Town Manager Hardin Watkins attended the party to express his thanks for the police department and businesses partnering together to help families and children in Garner.
Chief Brandon Zuidema thanked the officers, explorers, and families for participating in the “Shop with a Cop,” telling everyone that this type of community support and involvement is one of the reasons he selected Garner for employment and is excited about working here.
The Garner Police Department Explorer Post is open to high school age children interested in learning more about law enforcement. For additional information on our Police Explorer’s Program, please contact Investigator Amy Miller at 919-772-8810 919-772-8810 .
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