Paris, Tenn.–Saturday was a festive occasion for both Cops and Kids at the annual Christmas Shopping Trip in Paris.
Over a hundred volunteers came together and helped 200 children have a good Christmas. The event is sponsored each year by the Fraternal Order of Police, Tennessee-Kentucky Lake Lodge 17.
The shopping trip began at Paris Elementary School. The children were paired with a shopping guide then driven to Wal-Mart Supercenter for their Christmas shopping spree. Each child could spend $100 on Christmas presents. When the children returned to PES they also received a stuffed animal, a bag of goodies and a breakfast sandwich.
Even The Grinch was in a good mood; he was at Walmart and greeted the young shoppers.
F.O.P. President and retired Paris Police Chief Chuck Elizondo said, “Henry County has done it again by providing generous donations allowing us to help the children of Henry County have a Merry Christmas. We are fortunate to have over a hundred volunteers come together and help 200 children.”
Police Agencies & Organizations Involved:
FOP TN KY Lodge 17 Members
Chief Ricky Watson and the Paris Police Department
Sheriff Josh Frey and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department
Henry County High School Brian Welp, DECA & Diane McCord, Criminal Justice Classes provided shopping escorts.
Harrelson, Henry, and Lakewood Schools Guidance Counselors.
Paris and Henry County SROs.
First Baptist Church Paris provided transportation.
Dyersburg State Community College Police Department
TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Henry County 911
Carl Perkins Center Henry County
UT Extension Henry County
Walmart supplied goody bags for every child.
McDonalds provided breakfast sandwiches.
Henry County Rescue Squad provided two vehicles for transport.
And The Grinch…