North Penn Area Police Athletic League seeking eligible families, donors for 1st annual SHOP WITH A COP

For the first time ever, six police agencies and the North Penn YMCA are teaming up for a new event that pairs police officers with children to afford them a better holiday season.

The nonprofit North Penn Area Police Athletic League – comprised of Hatfield, Lansdale, Montgomery Township, North Wales Borough, Towamencin, and Upper Gwynedd police departments and the YMCA – is holding its first annual SHOP WITH A COP event on Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Target in Montgomeryville.

According to Lansdale Officer David Pelzer, of Lansdale Police’s Community Service Unit, SHOP WITH A COP is a program that provides opportunities for children to view police officers in a different light and promotes positive relationships.

The program is geared toward North Penn elementary and middle school children aged four to 13.

Eligible families must have a child that attends a school in the North Penn School District or one that resides in Hatfield Borough, Hatfield Township, Lansdale Borough, Montgomery Township, North Wales Borough, Towamencin Township, or Upper Gwynedd Township.

Apply via Google Forms here.

Per North Penn PAL, there are children and families faced with challenges like unemployment, homelessness, military deployment, and economic shortcomings.

There are limited spaces for eligible children; if there are more eligible children than spots, then there will be a random drawing.

All applications are confidential and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

SHOP WITH A COP is funded through donations from the community.

“We would like to get the word out as we are looking for donations and participants in the North Penn Area,” Pelzer said.

North Penn PAL invites private sponsors, individuals and local businesses to donate toward the cause. Volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts and with registration.

Each child shops with a police officer and is able to purchase gifts for themselves, their family and their friends, for a more joyful holiday season.

Donation levels are as follows, but any amounts are accepted:

Elf – One Child - $300
Reindeer - $500
Jack Frost - $750
Snowman $1,000
The Grinch - $1,500
Santa - $2,500

Donations can be made via Venmo @NWPD-ShopwithaCop 

    

Checks are made payable to “North Penn YMCA” and sent to ATTN: Dave Pelzer, Lansdale Police Dept., 1 Vine St., Suite 101, Lansdale PA 19446

Contact Officer Pelzer at 215-368-1801 or email [email protected] with any questions.