Montezuma-Cortez High School students and law enforcement officers teamed up Saturday for the annual Shop with a Cop event, which provided 24 elementary students and their families with gifts for the holidays.
Law enforcement officers and participants started their shopping day at the high school with a breakfast cooked and served by members of the M-CHS student government.
Participants then were paired with officers and sent off for some holiday shopping. The shopping was funded by proceeds from the M-CHS homecoming dance, a Walmart discount and discounted gift cards from the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association.
After the shopping trip, officers and student government assisted children with wrapping the gifts.
“I have never wrapped so many presents in my life before, but it was totally worth it,” said Grace Shepard, a senior with the student government. “I loved seeing the excitement from all those kids.”
In addition to easing the cost of holiday shopping, the event allowed participants to connect with officers.
“Some of our local law enforcement officers stepped up and volunteered their time to help make it happen,” said Jerry Sam of the Cortez Police Department. “It was nice to be able to get together again this holiday season and give joy to some of our local kids.”
