Shop With a Cop of Blount County, along with the Fraternal Order of Police Bud Allison Memorial Lodge #9 held Shop With a Cop at Walmart in Alcoa. This was the 30th year for the annual event in Blount County.

Around 100 law enforcement officers representing agencies in Blount County turned out in force this morning to assist with taking 72 children shopping for Christmas gifts for themselves. Each child had $150 to spend. Some of Blount County’s under-served and at risk children ages 6 to 10 were invited to attend the event which started in 1989 with area law enforcement officers pulling together to buy Christmas gifts for a single child. Shop With a Cop has grown to sponsor anywhere from 70 to 100 children each year, depending on needs and funding.

Shop With a Cop is carried out in Blount County by way of support from businesses, individuals, and fundraising events throughout the year. Steve “Slim” Stilts, with the support from Shop With a Cop of Blount County and other organizations, held the annual “SlimFest” event in August at Midland Shopping Center. This fundraiser raised thousands of dollars for the event. Another fundraiser in 2019 included the annual Blue Grass festival held at Rocky Brach Community Center. Clabough Bus Services donated transportation for the children’s ride from the Blount County Justice Center to Walmart in Alcoa.