Nottawasaga OPP join forces with Murphy’s Farm and Canadian Tire Alliston to bring Christmas joy to local youth

A group photo from the 2021 Shop With A Cop event.

Christmas is coming to town for more than 20 elementary students from across the New Tecumseth, Essa Township and Adjala-Tosorontio communities, thanks to the annual “Shop With A Cop” event on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Through a partnership between the Nottawasaga OPP, local family business Murphy’s Farm Market & Bakery and Canadian Tire Alliston, which raised a record $7,300 in support for this year’s event, students will be paired up with OPP officers to shop for Christmas presents for themselves and their entire family.

“Shop With A Cop is an event like no other! It brings the community together and we are so thankful for the opportunity to keep this event going year after year – and all the officers that volunteer their time to engage with these youth wouldn’t have it any other way,” shared Constable Cindy Jacome of the Nottawasaga OPP. “Every year, we manage to make the event just a bit better thanks to our partnership with Murphy’s Farm and Canadian Tire Alliston. The highlight of that day is seeing all those smiling faces and the stories we get to share afterwards. The community engagement is priceless!”

Now in its sixth consecutive year, “Shop With A Cop” is a community policing initiative designed to give students in need a Christmas experience to remember and promote a healthy relationship between young children and officers. The Nottawasaga OPP works with dozens of local schools to identify students with exceptional needs or hardship and invites them to participate in this fun day of holiday shopping, gift wrapping and Christmas cheer.

The goal of the event is to provide each student with the funds needed to complete their holiday shopping during the event, in addition to wrapping paper, supplies and other holiday gifts donated by local partners. Thanks to the support of General Manager Adriano Dalle Rive and his team, “Shop With A Cop” is hosted at the Canadian Tire in Alliston, with a holiday wrapping party – complete with baked goods, hot chocolate and Christmas movies – for the children, their families and the volunteers to enjoy following their shopping.

“Last year was our first time being involved with SWAC, and everything from the fundraising to the event has brought excitement and pride to our staff, store and the community,” shared Rive. “There’s something very special about having these children shopping around the store with the officers. It has allowed the children to be excited about the holiday season, and there were so many laughs and magical moments. We are excited for the event this year, which will be even bigger and better than last year!”

Murphy’s Farm raises funds for “Shop With A Cop” through various initiatives over the course of the year. In addition to point-of-sale fundraising among customers, sponsors were able to support the cause through Murphy’s Magnificent Hay Bales as part of the annual Fall Fest, while proceeds from Murphy’s Christmas in July promotion and outdoor Christmas Market were also donated to the cause. Donation bins and limited edition shortbread cookies were also made available at Canadian Tire Alliston, expanding the reach of the 2022 fundraising efforts.

“The holidays are a special time for the Murphy’s, filled with magical memories, delicious food and quality moments spent together. We are so grateful to be able to create those same special moments for families in need here in our own community through the Shop With A Cop event,” shared Hollis English, owner of Murphy’s Farm Market & Bakery. “It warms my heart to see people coming together to spread Christmas cheer and goodwill to those less fortunate, and it’s amazing to see this initiative continue to grow each year. Thank you to everyone who generously supported Shop With A Cop and who will give these young children the Christmas they deserve.”

“Shop With A Cop” will take place on December 10 at the Canadian Tire in Alliston (110 Young Street). Visit http://www.murphysfarmmarket.com/swac/ to learn more about the program and see a complete list of our sponsors and supporters.