Smiles and excitement filled the aisles of Liberty Walmart on Sunday, Dec. 15, as children took part in the annual Shop With a Cop event, organized by the J. Regen Foundation. This cherished tradition, which continues on Thursday, Dec. 19, has grown dramatically in recent years, spreading holiday cheer to more families than ever before.
With the generous support of donors, sponsors, and community volunteers, this year’s event was truly one for the record books, blessing 124 children with $100 shopping sprees. This marks an incredible increase from the 75 children helped in 2023 and just 23 in 2022.
“We set a goal for 100 kids and ended up raising $14,000, which allowed us to bless even more children,” said Jennifer Regen, founder of the J. Regen Foundation.
The Shop With a Cop program pairs underprivileged children with law enforcement officers for a special Christmas shopping trip, helping to foster positive relationships between police and the community. Due to the overwhelming number of participants this year, Liberty firefighters and members of the Liberty Lions Club stepped in to help shop alongside the children.
For Regen, the mission of the event hits close to home.
“I believe this event is super important. I was a single mom, and while I was fortunate to provide for my kids with a little help from my family, I knew people who couldn’t,” she said. “There are many parents out there working hard without any assistance. We just want to help them give their children a wonderful Christmas, or at least brighten the holidays as much as we can.”
Children were nominated by local law enforcement officers or school staff, as they often have insight into a child’s needs. Parents could also apply for their children to participate, with nominations vetted to ensure the families met the criteria. One story that stood out to Regen involved a local woman who had recently taken custody of her five nieces and nephews. With six children of her own, the woman and her husband are providing Christmas for 11 kids this year. Thanks to the event, their holiday burden was lightened.
The event, split into two days, will conclude on Thursday, Dec. 19, also at the Liberty Walmart. On Sunday, 79 children enjoyed their shopping trips. The remaining 45 will take part in Thursday’s event.
This year’s Shop With a Cop was made possible through the generosity of many sponsors and donors, with primary contributions coming from Bill and Tammie Wingfield of Wingfield Concrete and the Liberty Lions Club. Other major sponsors chose to remain anonymous, but a total of 41 donors contributed amounts ranging from $200 to $500.
Participating law enforcement agencies included the Liberty Police Department, Dayton Police Department, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and constable offices from both Liberty and Harris counties. Their involvement, along with the support of the Liberty Fire Department and Liberty Lions Club, ensured that every child had a dedicated adult to help them shop and make lasting memories.
On behalf of the J. Regen Foundation, Jennifer Regen expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the event possible:
“To every sponsor, donor, law enforcement officer, firefighter, Lions Club member, Liberty City Councilwoman Libby Simonson and husband, Al, and volunteers who contributed to this year’s Shop With a Cop, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness and generosity have brought joy to children and families who might otherwise have struggled to celebrate this season. I am so grateful for each of you and look forward to continuing this beautiful tradition in the years to come,” she said.
Ms. Regen does a wonderful thing leading this.