The Hopkinsville Lodge No. 12 Fraternal Order of Police conducted its heartwarming, family-friendly “Shop With A Cop” annual experience Wednesday evening — providing children the opportunity to experience law enforcement elements while grabbing gifts for themselves, their siblings and their loved ones.
Royale Marfil, public affairs officer for the Hopkinsville Police Department, has done it three years in a row.
Job permitting, she’ll be at them for years to come. The atmosphere, she said, was uplifting.
She also noted that the annual gathering does nothing but help families.
More than 25 children from schools within the area were selected for the shopping bazaar, made possible by the generous — and usually anonymous — donations made to the Lodge No. 12 FOP shopping fund.
Michael Velez, president of Watch No. 12 and a deputy sheriff with the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, said it’s the largest group of children they’ve served for this event.
Children were joined with officials in the Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Campbell Military Police and the Christian County Jail.
Velez, too, was one of the shoppers — a joyous occasion not just for those who receive, but also for those who give.
In order to continue this strong, positive and popular annual tradition, Velez said in-person donations go the longest way. He warned that Watch No. 12 of the FOP will “never” solicit donors or call individuals homes, so if someone does, it’s a scam.
The best way to donate, he said, is to visit the Oak Grove Police Department, the Hopkinsville Police Department or the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and then request to donate to the organization and these efforts.
