SHOP WITH A COP

In the spirit of the season, children from Steele County were left with big smiles and gifts to boot after a shopping experience they’re likely not going to forget any time soon.
Sixteen families are going to have a more joyous holiday season thanks to multiple organizations that paired police officers with small children at the Target Store in Owatonna Dec. 13. 
Target donated $2,000 to the Salvation Army of Steele County for the program. Shop with a Cop provides a fun-filled day for children in need while creating positive relationships with law enforcement.
Uniformed officers from Owatonna Police, State Patrol and Steele County Sheriff’s Office volunteered their time to be with the children for shopping, gift wrapping and refreshments. 
With the help of the Salvation Army, 16 children were identified and paired up with police officers to purchase gifts for themselves as well as their families. Each child was allowed to spend $125 for gifts with the officers guiding their selections.
“This is a Christmas miracle for the kids,” said Zeb Schultz, who coordinated Target’s involvement with the program. “That’s what this is about helping out kids. We want to make sure they have opportunities afforded to them.”
Sheriff’s deputy Mike Smith was paired up with 7-year-old Eathan Buck. They made their way into the toy aisle as well as the book section. “Let’s go back and get something for Josiah (Eathan’s brother). He got the short end of the stick,” Smith said to Eathan as they loaded up the shopping cart with gifts. 
After Eathan indicated he liked cars, Smith asked, “Are you going to be a race car driver when you grow up?” Eathan shook his head yes. 
“It’s the camaraderie to watch the officers shop with the kids,” Ratzlaff said. “Some probably don’t shop with their own kids,” she added.
Target operations manager David Henson said Target is always looking to support the communities where they have stores. “The more support we can give, the better off we’ll all be,” he said. “We want to become more involved in the community,” he added. 
As the children shopped with the officers, Corrine Ratzloff, a board member with the Salvation Army, stood by at the wrapping station waiting to wrap their purchases.  
“These are 16 children who haven’t gotten assistance from us previously,” Ratzloff said. “We’ve never done this before. This is very exciting for us. It’s wonderful to help more people.”
Ratzloff said the children participating in the program may have parents who lost jobs, family illnesses or single parent families. “This is based on need and family circumstances,” she said, adding it wasn’t hard finding families who needed assistance. 
The Salvation Army works with area social workers in the area schools to identify children for the program. 
Sheriff Lon Thiele coordinated the law enforcement officers who shopped with the children. There were nine Owatonna officers, five county deputies and two state troopers involved in the shopping. 
“This puts a tear in your eye. It’s so special,” Thiele said. 
The biggest payoff for police officers, Thiele said, is seeing big smiles on the faces of the children. “This is where law enforcement gets a good feel for what the child might need,” he added. 
Jan Karasch, field representative with the Salvation Army, says the Shop with a Cop is her favorite program to be involved with during the year. She said the program helps “build the relationship and trust” between children and police officers. “It helps so they’re not scared of police,” she said, adding it makes them realize officers are just average people.
The sheriff agreed. “It’s something we can build a good rapport with the child and it can last into the future,” he said. 
Some of the children came away with winter coats and other outdoor wear. “When they get nice looking winter coats, it builds that child’s self esteem,” Karasch said. “There is no doubt about it.”
The Salvation Army is also involved with the annual back-to-school backpack distribution in September. 

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