For twenty-six years there has been a Shop with a Cop (SWAC)
Christmas program in Allegany County.
Over 2600 kids have bonded with Deputies and Police Officers and had a
memorable Christmas experience. With the loss of the Wellsville Kmart store,
large-scale shopping events are no longer possible. With that in mind, the SWAC committee was
faced with a challenge. We wanted to
continue a Christmas event that provides a positive and fun experience for
needy kids in our county. After much
discussion, we decided to turn our existing Shop with a Cop funds over to The
Allegany County Area Foundation. The
Foundation will keep the Shop With A Cop name alive by creating a fund and an
annual grant to support events or programs designed to help kids in need. The annual grant will be funded by the
interest generated from the original funds the SWAC Committee provided. The principal will not be used. This allows for a Shop with a Cop Fund grant
to be given at Christmas time forever.
Here’s how it works:
Any group of like-minded citizens can apply for the SWAC Fund
Grant. You can be an existing
organization or simply a group from your church or civic club. It could be a Christmas Party, a roller
skating outing or perhaps a visit from Santa.
Be creative! Whatever your
plans, we would love for you to invite a police officer to attend. The interaction with a police officer has a
very positive effect on children and should be encouraged. Contact Bruce Campbell, Executive Director,
Allegany County Area Foundation, at 585-296-5616 for application details.
The SWAC grant for 2019 and 2020 will be a minimum of $500
each Christmas and can grow in future years with your tax-exempt donation. Contact The Allegany Area Foundation for
donation details.
I want to thank all the folks who have supported the Shop
with a Cop Program in its original shopping format and hope you will support
the needy kids in Allegany County as SWAC makes this necessary change.
Merry Christmas!
Steve and Roxy Havey
Wellsville
