Katie Conforti and Lauren Cooper hold some of the gifts that have been collected for children connected to The Cricket Center.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Dec. 7, 2023) The Cricket Center will be bringing Christmas joy to 30 at-risk children in Worcester County with its annual “Shop with a Cop” event on Saturday.

“Watching the kids shop with law enforcement is just the most heartwarming thing to see,” Lauren Cooper, the executive director of The Cricket Center, said.

 During the event, the children get a $150 shopping spree at Walmart with a police officer, and a ride on a police bus. They will then be sworn in as junior troopers. After that, they get to wrap their gifts and have lunch donated by Chick-Fil A and visit with the Chick-Fil-A cow and Santa. Snacks for the children will be donated by WaWa.

Each child gets to shop for gifts for their family members and maybe even pick out a special item for themselves. They will also go home with a bag of groceries, thanks to the Ocean Pines-Ocean City Kiwanis Club, and a blanket, thanks to the Berlin Rotary Club and Quilters by the Sea.

“We are still seeking Walmart gift cards for the shopping spree,” Lauren Cooper, executive director of the Cricket Center said.

Those interested in donating gift cards can contact Cooper to arrange delivery at 410-641-0097.

The Cricket Center is the only child advocacy center in Worcester County that works with children who are alleged victims of crime. The center provides child and non-offending family members with support, crisis intervention, trauma based therapy and medical intervention.

“When families come to us in crisis they’re in need of basic necessities,” Cooper said.

 When a child undergoes a forensic examination at the hospital, their clothing and undergarments are seized as evidence, leaving them without any personal items. The CRICKET Center helps fill that gap by helping provide new clothing and essential items.

“Our needs are so vast,” Cooper said.

Donations and gift cards to local clothing retailers give the staff the resources to purchase individualized items unique to each child’s need. Staff also keep diapers, wipes, and hygiene items on hand.

The staff is opening a satellite office in Pocomoke to better serve the children and families located in the southern end of the county. Cooper said she hopes to start providing services out of that office by this spring.

She is looking for office furniture, desks, filing cabinets, televisions and kid’s furniture for the new space. Toys, diapers, cleaning supplies and donations are also always needed.

To contact The Cricket Center, visit www.thecricketcenter.com