Deputies Steps In After Target Canceled ‘Shop With A Cop’ Event

“Shop with a Cop” has always been one of the most awaited events during the Christmas season by police officers and children alike in Flagler County, Florida, for the past 10 years. This is made possible through a partnership with Target.

This partnership is being practiced in different counties giving kids who might not normally get Christmas presents, have the chance to experience opening gifts on Christmas day.

And this year, they all expected that it’s going to be the same experience. According to a letter from Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly to Target Corp. Officers alike were excited to bring something special to families in need this holiday season. However, the sheriff’s office received an unexpected email on October 6th, explaining the cancelation of the event and the entire partnership as well.

And in his letter to the corporation, Staly expressed how his office felt about the news. He decided to share it with the public as well.

In his letter, Sheriff Staly wrote:

“We worked with your local Palm Coast store, selected a date and your employees were once again excited to participate.”

“Then on October 6, 2021, my staff received an email abruptly canceling the partnership. We were told Target ‘retired’ the ‘Heroes & Helpers’ program and was ‘introducing a new give-back program to serve our communities, anchored to our purpose of helping families discover the joy of everyday life. We’ll be expanding our impact and reach, partnering directly with local nonprofit organizations across the country to provide families in need with essentials, gifts, and more.’

He further wrote:
“When we informed Target staff that Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities was a nonprofit 501(C)(3) the email was ignored and no response was received.”

The Chief said that they felt betrayed. He accused the Target Corporation of “propaganda,” arguing that the company was giving mere lip service to its values regarding their public safety partnerships, community engagement, and for being “a shining example of public-private partnership.” In addition, he also accused Target of following “the pathway of political convenience.” He even said that the company was displaying “‘Grinch’ like behavior.”

But even though this is such a great disappointment, the sheriff’s office is not going to let this ruin their plans for this year. The children need them and they will not suffer from Target’s seemingly abrupt decision.

So the sheriff’s office turned to Walmart!

The sheriff said they welcomed them “with open arms.” And thanks to generous donors, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees, and Walmart, over 100 children were able to go Christmas shopping.

Each one received $175 they can use to shop for themselves and their families!

Chief Staly wrote:
“When Target Corporation directed the local Palm Coast Target to cancel the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities planned Shop with a Cop event, the Grinch paid a visit. The Grinch then found a heart and joined FCSO and others in taking 125 kids on a free shopping spree to Walmart! (Paid for by donations from FCSO employees and the community.) Thank you, Walmart for stepping up and supporting Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities Shop with a Cop event. See you next year!”

Aside from this, the Flagler sheriff’s office also started a GoFundMe account for next year’s “Shop with a Cop” event. They are hoping that through this effort, they will reach even more children next year.