Target Store Manager Jerry Thurmond joined with other Target team members in proudly presenting a $2,500 check for Shop With a Cop, which will be at Target this year on Dec. 5.

Thurmond said Target, which will have its first Christmas season in Barrow Crossing, is pleased to have the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and Winder Police Department as partners. Target is financially supporting 35 community holiday efforts and the Barrow County store was among those selected, thanks to the efforts of Thurmond and Clark.

"I am so excited that we are able to sponsor Shop with a Cop this year. Barrow County has gone above and beyond to help us feel welcome here and we are thrilled that we have been given the opportunity to give back to the community," said Clark. "The Shop with a Cop program helps kids in need develop positive relationships with local law enforcement and provides families with holiday gifts."

Walmart is also a Shop With a Cop supporter and hosted last year's shopping spree which paired selected little shoppers with law enforcement officials woh helped. The plan is to alternative between Walmart and Target with the Shop With a Cop program.

For Shop With a Cop, 25 youngsters have been identified through The Tree House and the Holiday Connection collaborative effort to enjoy breakfast at the Winder Cultural Arts Center before they head out with their partnered law enforcement officers for a shopping spree at Target with a $200 gift card in hand.

The shoppers will be able to select items for themselves as well as gifts to share with family members.

Detective Lt. Greg Teatino with the Winder Police Department has participated in the Shop With a Cop program for several years after being emotionally touched by his first-year experience. After reaching into his pocket to finish out the remaining difference between the Shop With a Cop amount for spending and the total of what the child had selected, Teatino said the experience was a blessing. After he got home, he couldn't help by cry.

He also recalls the young lady he assisted during a Shop With a Cop shopping excursion who approached him at a school to say thanks for spending time with her during a time when her family was coping with a crisis.

"This is a really good thing," said Teatino.