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Shop with a Cop/Hero pie auction will be Nov. 22
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The annual Shop with a Cop/Shop with a Hero pie auction fundraiser is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The auction raises money for the annual shopping event that will take place Dec. 11-14 at Walmart and Meijer. Ludington Police Department School Resources Officer Conor Gallihugh said last year’s pie auction raised over $15,000 which helped make Christmas better for 90 local children. The goal for this year is to again help 90 kids.
Shop with a Cop/Shop with a Hero provides kids with a stipend that allows them to go with a police officer, firefighter, military member, or EMT and purchase Christmas gifts for their families, an opportunity many of them do not have. In addition to purchasing gifts, the gifts are typically wrapped by a volunteer and the shoppers are provided with a sandwich from Jimmy John’s. They also have the opportunity to receive a Christmas tree from Nickelson’s Tree Farm of Amber Township.
“This event is always a highlight for our local first responders,” Gallihugh said. “It’s a great event that also has a positive impact on these children as well.”
The program is open to all Mason County children and participating first responders come from agencies throughout the county and neighboring counties. Participating children are chosen by their school districts. Gallihugh emphasized that he does not have input into which children are chosen. Parents and guardians who would like their child to be considered will need to contact the appropriate school personnel.
The program relies on donations from the community. Its biggest fundraiser is the pie auction that takes place just before Thanksgiving. Individuals and businesses can donate a pie to be auctioned off by delivering it to the Councilors’ Chamber at the Ludington Municipal Building, 400 S. Harrison St., on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Donors are asked to fill out a form which is available at the Shop with a Cop/Hero Facebook page here or at the municipal building.
The auction will take place on the Shop with a Cop/Hero Facebook page (click here) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Pies can be picked up from 4 to 6 p.m. that day. Payments can be made with credit card, cash or check.
Gallihugh said pie pickup will only take place between those two hours and cannot be picked up prior to 4 p.m. due to the need to sort through the bids and pies.
The program will also take donations from people who are unable to donate a pie or unable to bid on a pie. Donations can be sent to Ludington Police Department, 400 S. Harrison St., Ludington, MI 49431, note Shop with a Cop in the memo.
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