BIGGEST EVER SHOP WITH A COP EVENT
$20K donation makes it possible to aid more families
The original plan was that the Franconia Police Benevolent Association’s Shop with a Cop was going to take place Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Harleysville Walmart.
That’s still happening, but now it will take more than one day.
That’s because an anonymous donor has contributed $20,000, making this the biggest Shop with a Cop yet.
“We actually are adding a second shopping day on the 17th,” Off. Timothy Boyle, PBA president, said.
“We are going to be serving 14 families in the Souderton Area School District,” he said. “Families will be coming from all of the elementary schools.”
Families in need who are the recipients of the Shop with a Cop are recommended by the school district.
At least one police officer, along with volunteers, accompany the shoppers, each of which will have $2,000 to make purchases, Boyle said.
“Once we’ve finished the shopping, Souderton Pizza & Pasta is again, for the third or fourth
“We are going to be serving 14 families in the Souderton Area School District. Families will be coming from all of the elementary schools.” — Timothy Boyle, PBA president
year, being good enough to host a pizza party for all the families and the volunteers,” he said.
The shopping trip gives the families a chance to buy wish list gifts for the children, but a lot of the money goes for clothes or other necessities, along with the families leaving some of the gift card balance to return in the future for perishable food items, he said.
Fundraising events and other information are available at the ftpba.com website and the FranconiaPolicePBA Facebook page.
This year, a Breakfast with Santa fundraiser, held 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Little Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, was added. It came on the same day as the first local snowfall of the winter, which added to the holiday spirit.
The breakfast raised about $1,900, Boyle said.
Franconia Township Board of Supervisors member Charles Amuso, one of the attendees, said it’s nice to have the event in the local community, particularly for the children.
“They’re having a good time seeing Santa and eating,” he said.
It’s another example of what the police department does, he said.
“They’re wonderful as police officers. They’re wonderful as people,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be associated with these officers,” Amuso said, “and, by the way, they’re very good cooks.”
Police Chief Joseph Kozeniewski noted the support from the community.
“Our business community really stepped up this year,” he said. “Not even asked, they came to the PBA.”
One of the basics of police training is that the police are the community and the community are the police, he said.
“This is a great example of it,” Kozeniewski said.