Columbia police officers spread cheer through Shop With a Cop event

Kerri Bartlett, The Daily Herald
·2 min read
Tinleigh Waldrum, 7, (left) and Zae O'Neil, 8, watch the movie "The Grinch" and eat pizza with officers Daniel Hoover and Matthew Cress at a party at Columbia Police Department, following the Shop With A Cop event.
Tinleigh Waldrum, 7, (left) and Zae O'Neil, 8, watch the movie "The Grinch" and eat pizza with officers Daniel Hoover and Matthew Cress at a party at Columbia Police Department, following the Shop With A Cop event.

Columbia Police Department's Lt. Jeff Duncan was inspired as a young boy to help others when he observed his father, also a Columbia police officer, deliver gifts and goods to families in need each Christmas.

"He'd load up the truck, and I'd ride with him to make the deliveries," Duncan said.

Columbia Police Department Lt. Jeff Duncan started the annual Shop With a Cop event at the department, helping dozens of children purchase Christmas gifts for their families each year.
Columbia Police Department Lt. Jeff Duncan started the annual Shop With a Cop event at the department, helping dozens of children purchase Christmas gifts for their families each year.

Because of that experience, seeing his father devote time and effort to helping others, Duncan wanted to do the same for those in the community experiencing difficult times, hence Shop With a Cop was born many years ago as an annual event at the Columbia Police Department.

This year marks the 20th year the department has participated in the program under Duncan's leadership, funded through an annual pancake breakfast and donations.

Sgt. Brian Goats (left) and records supervisor Jessica Tucker help children pick out gifts at Walmart at the annual Shop With a Cop event held by the Columbia Police Department.
Sgt. Brian Goats (left) and records supervisor Jessica Tucker help children pick out gifts at Walmart at the annual Shop With a Cop event held by the Columbia Police Department.

Last week, police officers rolled carts down aisles at Walmart, helping approximately 20 children shop for Christmas gifts to go under the tree for their family. Kiwanis Club of Columbia volunteers helped wrap the gifts for each child as part of the program.

"This year was very special," Duncan said. "We have some children who are dealing with losses in the family, and seeing the kids loving the experience and watching them have fun makes it worth it."

Kiwanis Club of Columbia president Charlie Plunkett and member Thomas Sneed wrap presents at the annual Shop With a Cop event at Columbia Police Department.
Kiwanis Club of Columbia president Charlie Plunkett and member Thomas Sneed wrap presents at the annual Shop With a Cop event at Columbia Police Department.

After the shopping spree, children happily enjoyed a pizza party and watched "The Grinch" movie back at the Columbia Police Department with the officers.

"We are able to relate and connect to the kids in a different light than we do throughout the rest of the year," Duncan said. "A lot of times, children are coming in contact with officers during unforeseen circumstances during the year, but this way they get to see us in a different setting and make more of a personal connection."

Duncan says the event at the end of each year, makes the work officers do throughout the year that much more meaningful by giving the department a chance to give back to families in meaningful ways, especially in bringing more cheer Christmas morning.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia Police officers spread cheer at Shop With a Cop event