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Shop with a Cop event grows
Community hailed for help
3 Shop with a cop pic1
Dawson County Sheriffs Sgt. Eric Johnson compares fishing poles with sixth-grader Steven Cook during the Shop with a Cop event at Walmart. - photo by David Renner Dawson Community News

Officials praised the community's generosity last week as the Dawson County Sheriff's Office set a new record for its sixth annual Shop with a Cop event.

The agency spread the outings over two days last week and was able to provide Christmas presents for about 70 children who may not have otherwise received any.

"This is, by far, the biggest we've had," said Dawson County Sheriff's Maj. Tony Wooten. "That's because of the people who came out and donated.

"On top of Chestatee Golf Club's $1,300, we had a private citizen donate $1,000, Robinson Elementary donating $3,000 and then Walmart gave us $2,000."

According to Wooten, the contribution from Robinson helped the event pull ahead this year.

"The ornament sale was the largest single contributor we had this year, and that was after having to cut it short due to overwhelming demand. It's awesome," he said.

Wooten added that the sheriff's office raised more than $8,000 this year, about $3,000 more than last year.

"This year we went above what we thought because of the generosity of the people in the county." said Sheriff Billy Carlisle. "The money we've raised and the volunteers who have come out, not only from my department but the parents, it's amazing."

Volunteers from the sheriff's office and community helped fill Walmart on Dec. 19 and 20 for the shopping event. Parents such as Ashley Segraves came out just to support the program.

"I think this is great opportunity for people who might not be as fortunate as some others when it comes to making sure their kids have a great Christmas," she said.