Annual Cop Shop gives officers, students the holiday spirit
The fourth annual Yarmouth RCMP Cop Shop took place on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Each year, 10 elementary-age students get to have lunch with local RCMP officers, go shopping for Christmas gifts for their families and receive help from the officers wrapping the presents. The students were selected by the staff of Yarmouth Central School as being deserving of this event and for making a positive contribution to the school.
The day started with the officers driving the students in police vehicles from the school to a donated lunch at Wendy’s. While they enjoyed getting to know each other over lunch, the officers helped the students plan their shopping strategies and discussed who the students would be buying gifts for this Christmas. The next stop was Dollarama. Manager Michele Dueck provided each student with a $25 gift card donated by the store. Each student was also provided with another $25 donated by local lawyer Phil Star. With that, the students began their Christmas shopping with the help of the officers. Lists were checked and decisions made.
With the gifts for their family members purchased, the group returned to the school, where the officers helped the students wrap their gifts. With the final placement of bows and name tags, it was almost the end of Cop Shop 2018. All that was left to do now was for the students to thank their new friends the officers for helping to make this a special day they will always remember.