Donations to nonprofit affiliate of Sarasota Housing Authority cover the expense of gifts bought at Target
The Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA), the Sarasota Police Department, Target and Sarasota County’s Breeze Transit program are partnering to provide 125 underprivileged children with a unique holiday experience — the opportunity to “Shop with a Cop” for holiday gifts in Sarasota, the Police Department has announced.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, staff of the Sarasota Housing Authority will pair the children with Sarasota Police officers at the Target standing at 5350 Fruitville Road in Sarasota, a news release notes. Then the shopping will take place from 6 to 8 a.m.
“For almost 15 years, our collaboration with the Sarasota Housing Authority on the Shop with a Cop program has been a powerful reminder of why we serve,” said Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche in the release. “Sharing this experience with children, helping them choose gifts, hearing their stories and being a part of their holiday joy, is something our officers and civilian employees cherish each year,” Troche added in the release.
“This special event showcases SHA’s commitment to providing positive, uplifting experiences for our youth, while promoting mutual respect with our Sarasota Police partners,” said Sarasota Housing Authority CEO William Russell in the release. “Many of our kids who have participated in past events reminisce about what a positive experience it was to shop with and get to know SPD officers,” Russell pointed out.
The Sarasota Housing Authority raises more than $19,000 for this event through its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the Sarasota Housing Funding Corp., the release explains. This year’s event will be made possible through donations by Communities Unified, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Target, the First Horizon Foundation and other, private donors, the release adds.
Vivian Hugill and Karsyn Robbins, sisters of the two young women who founded the charity Communities Unified, have talked about how the program remains meaningful to them, the release continued.
“I was very young when our sisters started Communities Unified, and it has been exciting to watch it develop and grow,” Hugill said. “I am very proud to be part of this and look forward to continuing to support our community,” she added. “
“It’s great to be a part of Shop with a Cop,” Robbins said. “I love seeing the Sarasota Police Department build relationships with children and families in the Sarasota community,” she added.
“Donations provide Target gift cards that Sarasota Police officers and civilian employees will use at checkout for each of the 125 children,” the release explains. “Those wishing to donate to the event can do so through the Sarasota Housing Funding Corp. (SHFC), the release notes. Checks may be made payable to the Sarasota Housing Funding Corporation with “Shop with a Cop” in the memo line, the release says. Checks or cash donations may be dropped off at the Sarasota Housing Authority, which stands at 269 S. Osprey Ave. in Sarasota, the release points out.
For more information, contact the Sarasota Housing Authority at 941-361-6210, ext. 221.