Plainwell Middle School seventh-grader Alexander Courtney pauses while scanning a series of boxes of Nerf-style weaponry in the Plainwell Meijer, enjoying the relative quiet of a toy aisle.
Just over his shoulder are Plainwell Public Safety director Bill Bomar, manning a shopping cart of Alex’s selections, and Alex’s mother Tina.
It’s not Alex’s normal type of shopping trip.
“It’s normally more chaotic,” he said, explaining they can be a bit rowdier with his four younger siblings in tow. “But this is exciting.”
It’s all part of Shop With a Cop, which stormed the aisles of Meijer on Monday, Dec. 19; 38 police officers from the Plainwell, Wayland and Gun Lake tribal departments as well as the Allegan County Sheriff Department accompanied 150 students from Plainwell Middle School around the store for the event.
In its fifth year, and funded by a local family donor, it gave each student a $75 gift card to spend as they please. About 30 staff at the school volunteered at the wrapping station. Meijer threw in wrapping supplies, food for staff and students, and covered the occasional overages on the gift cards.
Principal Tasia Stamos said, “We love this—it’s one of our favorite events.
“So often, society thinks of kids as selfish. When we do this, we see how generous they are.”
Alex spent a while with his mom and Bomar doing some rough calculations to make sure the money would last to cover his three brothers, one sister and both parents.
Tina Courtney said, “This is such a great opportunity. It was such a surprise.”
School district spokesperson Julie Smith said students are nominated for the chance to get the gift cards.
The program gave gift cards to 125 last year. Stamos said the donor family has suggested it may increase the number of recipients further for next year.
Plainwell police officer Jeff Glerum helps organize the event and said the donor began this effort because he remembered a policeman reaching out to help him in his youth.
“I believe the officer sponsored him to be able to go to a summer camp,” Glerum said, keeping the name of the donor anonymous.
The law enforcement officers were treated to dinner at Friendship Wesleyan church prior to the event as an appreciation of their efforts.
“Every year this just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Glerum said.
Bomar said his entire looks forward to this day.
“It’s a good experience. It brings a little extra Christmas to the officers.”
Contact Ryan Lewis at rmlewis@allegannews.com or (269) 673-5534.
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