Columbia Falls 'Shop with a Cop' celebrates 16 years

Andrew Matlock spent nearly two hours at Target picking out gifts for himself last week. He and four other boys participated in the 16th annual Shop with a Cop sponsored by the Columbia Falls Police Association.

Matlock, 9, chose two footballs, new clothing, colored pencils and paper. By the time he was done with his selections, the other boys had already checked out and gone back to use the remaining money. So Matlock painstakingly went to the electronic section for a few more items. The disadvantaged children had $2,000 to spend altogether.

“We just have fun with them,” Detective Steve Hughes said. The police department also helps the families by providing a Christmas dinner from Super 1 Foods.

Columbia Falls Police Officer Jared Haddenham got the program recognized nationally in all Target stores several years ago. He worked for Target security for about three years. Then he went to the Columbia Falls Police Department and heard about Shop with a Cop in a meeting. He couldn’t believe it, so he talked to his former employee about creating a partnership.

“It turned into this huge thing,” Hughes said.