Sea Wind Residents Kick Off Shop with a Cop Program
By Menda Eulenfeld and Julie Hickman
RIVIERA, TEXAS - On a windy February afternoon, winter Texans at Sea Wind RV Park are getting ready for their annual fundraising kick off meeting for the Shop with a Cop program. For the past 18 years, Sea Wind residents have been contributing to the program.
The residents fund raise all year for the Christmas event. This Christmas will be the 28th year of the program.
Shop with a Cop is a community outreach initiative that pairs local law enforcement officers with children, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to help them shop for holiday gifts. The primary goal is to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Typically, the program is held during the holiday season, and participating children are given a specific budget to buy gifts for themselves or their family members. Local law enforcement officers assist the children by engaging with them in a friendly and supportive manner.
“When we help the children over here in Riviera, Sea Wind RV Park has been instrumental in raising the majority of the money.” said Tara Mylett, Shop with a Cop Executive Director. “Without them, we probably would not be able to do this area.”
Mylett came from the main Corpus Christi office to pick up the first cash donation from the Sea Wind residents.
Photo by Julie Hickman.
In addition to the cash donation, Sea Wind residents donated handmade items that will go towards a raffle or an auction later this year.
Photo by Julie Hickman.
Larry Roselle, a Sea Wind resident, donated a carved elk and a handmade bowl made from a cork tree from Greece. “I donate all my items that I carve. It helps support a good cause for the kids in the community.”
Sheryl Peterson also donated 2 quilts for the auction. “This is our first year at Sea Wind and they have such a good following with Shop with a Cop that I thought, well, I could donate.”
The quilts took over 70 hours to make.
“The last ten years, we have been able to [help] between 30 to 50 sometimes 60 families.” Mylett continued, “We also have volunteers at the Sea Wind RV Park that pretty much throughout the year collect money when they're all in town and do special stuff for the auction.”
To learn more about Shop with a Cop call (361) 442-4787 or email shopwithacopccfop@aol.com.
Photo by Julie Hickman.
