Shop With A Cop puts a smile on young faces

Caleb Speed and his brother Logan were downing snacks and Mountain Dew last week after a long day shopping at the Target store in Kalispell.

It may have been their best Christmas ever. The half-brothers were participating in Columbia Falls’ annual Shop With A Cop program, which helps disadvantaged youths have a more enjoyable Christmas.

Logan didn’t buy just stuff for himself but for family members as well, although he admits his best buy was one he picked out for himself.

“Legos,” he said.

The program is sponsored by the Columbia Falls Police Association and has grown through the years. The program was started more than 14 years ago and is supported by a host of businesses and individual donations. Columbia Falls RV Park owner Ken Fowler is a major donor, police noted.

“He gets behind projects, and he got behind this one,” Det. Steve Hughes said. “We take in the money, and we give it right back.”

Each child had a budget of about $200. Target makes up the difference if the kids go over budget a bit. The store also feeds them. The Columbia Falls school district selects the children based on their needs.

The kids bought everything from toys to clothes. The girls tend to gravitate toward the clothes. The boys go for toys.

The local Celtic musical group Tra La Gael will perform in a fundraiser concert for the Shop With A Cop program at the Columbia Falls High School on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.