(Dec. 15, 2016) Twenty Worcester County elementary school children spent last Saturday morning racing around the Berlin Wal-Mart while picking out Christmas presents with a Maryland State Police officer following closely behind, pushing a cart full of their treasures during “Shop with a Cop.”
The Berlin Barrack state troopers partnered with the Worcester County CRICKET Center for the fourth annual event where students ranging in age from 5-12 years old were paired with a police officer and given $100 each to spend at Wal-Mart however they chose for Christmas.
“Overall, the program has grown and been a great success in the community,” said First Sgt. Chris Davala, who has participated in the program since its inception. “This year, 20 Worcester County children went home with smiles and cherished moments of spending the morning with Maryland State troopers. Someday, one of those kids may raise their right hand to take the oath.”
The morning was memorable for all participants, with children and officers interacting, in addition to taking away from routine and tough days in police work.
“It is a fantastic experience, but what makes it even better is the smiles and laughter of the kids when they finally warm up to the men and women in uniform,” Davala said. “This year, we had troopers and cadets aged 17-48 helping out. Family members of troopers and volunteers from the community made the five hours the kids were with us fun for us all. Many of the troopers look forward to the time spent with fellow troopers from around the area and the kids who come from all walks of life.”
Each student received a tour of the Berlin Barrack, had a police car show-and-tell, was acquainted with Maryland State Police canines and were provided honorary Junior Maryland Trooper badges before jumping on a bus to Wal-Mart.
“It does a lot of things at once. First and foremost, it helps people who may be in need this time of year,” said Trooper Marlin Myers, the officer who brought the program to Berlin four years ago. “It also fosters a relationship between the officers, kids and community here.”
After shopping, everyone returned to the barrack where volunteers assisted in wrapping all the purchased presents and children enjoyed sandwiches and cookies donated by Chick-fil-A.
Recently, Davala took a position as a supervisor in the Aviation Command Division in Baltimore, but “made it a point” to get in touch with Myers and participate in the program this year.
“Another major reason for why I enjoy participating is my family volunteers, as many other troopers’ families do too,” Davala said. “My two boys, who are 8 and 12, and wife, cherish the time with the kids. My wife and I try to instill in our boys it is nice to share and give back to those in need. Their smiles are just as important to me as the ones of the kids they are helping.”
Myers read about “Shop with a Cop” a couple years ago in a trooper magazine and similar programs have taken place in Baltimore and the Cumberland areas. He thought it was a great idea to help community kids in need and brighten their holidays.
Through the program, participants will know they can always go to police if they need help.
Davala explained how police deal with tragedy and heartache every day, yet programs such as “Shop with a Cop” help to remind why they became law enforcement officers in the first place.
“We are not perceived as humans, but rather the ones who are there to take freedoms away,” Davala said. “Contrary to many, we have feelings too and with those feelings come the pain. We see families suffer. When it reaches the kids in the world, it hurts and in that hurt comes a drive to help and be a part of a positive experience with law enforcement. I get a charge back into my reasoning for why I became a trooper and why I do what I do each day.”
The program has continued because of donations from Wal-Mart and the National Wal-Mart Foundation, Harbor Marine in West Ocean City, DeNovo’s Trattoria Restaurant in Ocean Pines, Chick-fil-A in West Ocean City, Atlantic Physical Therapy in Ocean Pines, the Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Women, private citizen donations, the Worcester County Board of Education, the Worcester County Health Department, the Worcester County CRICKET Center, and the men and woman, both sworn and civilian, of the Maryland State Police Salisbury, Princess Anne and Berlin barracks.
The Berlin Barrack state troopers partnered with the Worcester County CRICKET Center for the fourth annual event where students ranging in age from 5-12 years old were paired with a police officer and given $100 each to spend at Wal-Mart however they chose for Christmas.
“Overall, the program has grown and been a great success in the community,” said First Sgt. Chris Davala, who has participated in the program since its inception. “This year, 20 Worcester County children went home with smiles and cherished moments of spending the morning with Maryland State troopers. Someday, one of those kids may raise their right hand to take the oath.”
The morning was memorable for all participants, with children and officers interacting, in addition to taking away from routine and tough days in police work.
“It is a fantastic experience, but what makes it even better is the smiles and laughter of the kids when they finally warm up to the men and women in uniform,” Davala said. “This year, we had troopers and cadets aged 17-48 helping out. Family members of troopers and volunteers from the community made the five hours the kids were with us fun for us all. Many of the troopers look forward to the time spent with fellow troopers from around the area and the kids who come from all walks of life.”
Each student received a tour of the Berlin Barrack, had a police car show-and-tell, was acquainted with Maryland State Police canines and were provided honorary Junior Maryland Trooper badges before jumping on a bus to Wal-Mart.
“It does a lot of things at once. First and foremost, it helps people who may be in need this time of year,” said Trooper Marlin Myers, the officer who brought the program to Berlin four years ago. “It also fosters a relationship between the officers, kids and community here.”
After shopping, everyone returned to the barrack where volunteers assisted in wrapping all the purchased presents and children enjoyed sandwiches and cookies donated by Chick-fil-A.
Recently, Davala took a position as a supervisor in the Aviation Command Division in Baltimore, but “made it a point” to get in touch with Myers and participate in the program this year.
“Another major reason for why I enjoy participating is my family volunteers, as many other troopers’ families do too,” Davala said. “My two boys, who are 8 and 12, and wife, cherish the time with the kids. My wife and I try to instill in our boys it is nice to share and give back to those in need. Their smiles are just as important to me as the ones of the kids they are helping.”
Myers read about “Shop with a Cop” a couple years ago in a trooper magazine and similar programs have taken place in Baltimore and the Cumberland areas. He thought it was a great idea to help community kids in need and brighten their holidays.
Through the program, participants will know they can always go to police if they need help.
Davala explained how police deal with tragedy and heartache every day, yet programs such as “Shop with a Cop” help to remind why they became law enforcement officers in the first place.
“We are not perceived as humans, but rather the ones who are there to take freedoms away,” Davala said. “Contrary to many, we have feelings too and with those feelings come the pain. We see families suffer. When it reaches the kids in the world, it hurts and in that hurt comes a drive to help and be a part of a positive experience with law enforcement. I get a charge back into my reasoning for why I became a trooper and why I do what I do each day.”
The program has continued because of donations from Wal-Mart and the National Wal-Mart Foundation, Harbor Marine in West Ocean City, DeNovo’s Trattoria Restaurant in Ocean Pines, Chick-fil-A in West Ocean City, Atlantic Physical Therapy in Ocean Pines, the Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Women, private citizen donations, the Worcester County Board of Education, the Worcester County Health Department, the Worcester County CRICKET Center, and the men and woman, both sworn and civilian, of the Maryland State Police Salisbury, Princess Anne and Berlin barracks.