On Saturday December 8, 2018, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division held their annual “Shop with a Cop” program. The 20178 “Shop with a Cop” program took place at the Niles area Wal-Mart.
Berrien County Sheriff ‘s Office Reserve Division Deputies Kimberly Fedison and Katie Bauer organized this annual event and they spent countless volunteer hours soliciting area businesses and individuals to assist in sponsoring this program. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division was able to obtain over $7,000 in donations to cover the costs of this event.
This year the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division partnered up with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s, the Berrien County Animal Control Office, the Berrien Springs – Oronoko Township Police Department, the Saint Joseph Department of Public Safety, the Bridgman City Police Department, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Sworn Deputies to make this years “Shop with a Cop” program a success.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division along with the partner agencies and organizations assisted Ten (10) families and thirty-four (34) children by allowing the children to shop for Christmas gifts for themselves, their family members, and their friends. In addition to providing the funding to allow the children to shop, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division also provided holiday food baskets to the ten families, so they could enjoy a wonderful holiday feast this year.
The ten families and children were from the Niles area, the Berrien Springs area, the New Buffalo area, and the Benton Harbor area.
Following the “shopping” the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division and members of the partner agencies and organizations took the children and their families to Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles for snacks and gift wrapping with members of Michiana Christian Embassy.
The ten families and their children were referred to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office by various schools and civic organizations, who felt they could use the assistance this year.
Prior to conducting the “shopping spree” at Wal-Mart, the children also had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with McGruff the Crime Fighting Canine.
The following businesses and/or civic organizations donated money, goods, and services to this function. Without these donations, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division along with the partner agencies and organizations would not have been able to assist all ten families and their children.
- Siemans in Bridgman.
- Michiana Christian Embassy.
- Milano’s Pizza.
- Pike Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
- Friends for Berrien Springs.
- Midwest Waste Solutions.
- Michiana Recycling & Disposal.
- Landfill Management Company.
- Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.
- Wightman & Associates.
- Chemical Bank.
- D.A. Dodd.
- Lane Automotive.
- Subway Restaurant.
- Niles area Wal-Mart.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputies take great pride in assisting families that need assistance especially during the holiday season. The smiles of gratitude on the faces of these children and the “hugs” provided by the adults and children to the Deputies and Officers are something that the Deputies and Officers will always remember.
Sheriff L. Paul Bailey and the administrative staff at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office are extremely proud of the efforts put forth by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division for this wonderful cause as well as all of their volunteer hours they donate to the County of Berrien and the local municipalities throughout the year, to ensure that the County of Berrien, it’s local communities, and the surrounding areas are a wonderful place to reside and visit.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Personnel and all local law enforcement and first responders are proud to serve and protect their communities on a daily basis by protecting and serving, as well as providing support at times individuals need assistance.
The members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, the Berrien County Animal Control Office, the Berrien Springs – Oronoko Township Police Department, the Saint Joseph Department of Public Safety, the Bridgman City Police Department, and the Boys & Girls Club want to wish everyone “Peace and Joy” this holiday season.
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