Five years ago, the Middletown Police Department in Langhorne, Pennsylvania started the Shop With a Cop (SWAC) program with the mission of brightening the holiday season for children and families in need. Since its inception, the program has been implemented by other agencies in Pennsylvania. Among them is Pennsylvania State Police Troop J - Lancaster, which is located at 2099 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. Troop J - Lancaster covers 19 townships and two boroughs in the county. Officers are also stationed full time at Pequea Valley and Solanco school districts.

Troop J - Lancaster's second annual SWAC event will take place at Lafayette Fire Company, 63 Lafayette Way, Lancaster, on Saturday, Dec. 4. Children should arrive at the fire station by 9:30 a.m. They will then be paired with a law enforcement officer and receive a $150 gift card to Kohl's. Children and officers will be bused to the Kohl's Lincoln Highway East location, where they will shop for Christmas presents for children's family members. Then, everyone will return to the fire station to eat a bagged lunch and wrap the presents. Officer Kelly Osborne, community service/public information officer with Troop J - Lancaster, mentioned that a retired trooper will dress as Santa Claus and the fire company will be decorated with a Christmas tree. Parents should plan to pickup their children around noon.

Osborne said she was excited to announce the return of SWAC. She noted that the program strives to positively impact children ages 6 to 18 in Lancaster County who have had police contact or been victims of unfortunate circumstances. The purpose of the program is not based solely on financial need, but also on the goal of fostering positive relationships between first responders and youths.

"I'm really looking forward to enjoying it and interacting with the kids this year and go all out," said Osborne. "My volunteers loved it last year. Before I reached out to them this year, they asked, 'When are you doing Shop With a Cop again?'"

Last year, about 16 children participated in SWAC. Osborne hopes to double that number this year. Nominations from pastors, school counselors, and other members of the community for children living in Lancaster County who would benefit from SWAC can be made at https://bit.ly/ShopWithACop2021. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, Nov. 30.

SWAC is sponsored by Camp Cadet of Lancaster County, a nonprofit organization that provides youths ages 11 to 13 with an in-depth look at careers in law enforcement with the goal of fostering positive relationships between first responders and youths. To raise funds for SWAC, people can sponsor a child for a set amount, and sponsors and will receive a yard sign. Those interested can email Osborne at kosbornefi@pa.gov.

For more information about SWAC, visit http://www.campcadetoflancastercounty.com or search for "Troop J Lancaster Shop With A Cop" on Facebook.