Schools fundraise for Shop with a Cop
DCSM middle school students pose with SRO Lyle Peterson after the pie in the face and kiss the goat fun.
In December, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and DCS Montessori (DCSM) sponsored spirit week fundraisers to support the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Shop with a Cop community outreach program.
In its 22nd year, Shop with a Cop pairs local sheriff deputies with children facing financial hardship to go shopping to buy holiday gifts for the children and their families. To make this happen, DCSO partners with several stores and volunteers in the community.
The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) at BRE collected loose change and small cash donations to participate in the spirit week themes each day. Daily themes included hat day, anything but a backpack day, crazy hair day, bring a small stuffed animal to school day and pajama day.
BRE collected more than $3,000 for the program. “The impressive donations from the BRE community will help ensure local families have a brighter holiday,” said NEHS advisor Sarah Gatewood.
Anything but a backpack day was the student’s favorite. Kids hauled their supplies to and from and around school in creative containers, such as mini fridges, tiny shopping carts, baby strollers and Amazon boxes.
As a thank you gesture to the school, DCSO brought in two therapy dogs. The pups hung out with students at lunch recess. “It was a fun and furry reward,” Sarah said.
DCSM students supported the event with two weeks of fun activities, including a rock-paper-scissors tournament, a competitive game of blackjack, the chance to skip a class, VIP lunch bunch (students Door Dashed food and could choose their recess activity), no homework passes for students and a chance to become a teacher for the day. Each activity had a small participation fee. The events raised $2,500, surpassing the set goal.
DCSM students also enjoyed special incentive events such as a pie-in-the-face challenge with School Resource Officer Lyle Peterson and lunch, lights and law where a small group of students joined Lyle and middle school science teacher Nicole Gassman for lunch at Chipotle.
“I’m extremely proud of all the students and staff who participated in the fundraising events for Shop with a Cop,” said Nicole.
Sheriff Darren Weekly shared, “Shop with a Cop is about more than shopping. It is about building trust, creating positive memories and letting kids know they are supported and cared for by the community.”
For more information on Shop with a Cop, contact Deborah Takahara at dtakahara@dcsheriff.net.
Deputy Chance shopping with boys at the Highlands Ranch Walmart store, as part of DCSO annual Shop with a Cop community outreach program.
DCSM math teacher Ashley Yeh takes part in a fun fundraising challenge by kissing a goat named Laura.
By Celeste McNeil and Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary and DCS Montessori
