Team Allison & Andrea Support Wake Forest’s Shop With a Cop

This year, Team Allison & Andrea, along with our Property Specific team, are stepping up to help. Together we are aiming to donate $6,500 to support Shop With a Cop, with Team Allison & Andrea contributing $1,500 of that amount. We view this as more than a donation; it is a way to rally our friends, colleagues, neighbors, and clients to be part of something meaningful. We believe in the power of this program, not just for the children it serves, but for the bonds it helps strengthen across our community.

The Shop With a Cop program in Wake Forest is a community outreach initiative managed by the Wake Forest Police Department under its Wake Forest Cares umbrella. Over the years, it has grown into a beloved holiday tradition that spreads joy to children who might otherwise go without.

Here’s how it works:

Throughout the year, funds are raised via donations (online, cash, or checks) to support the program.
On the designated shopping day, participating children are paired one-on-one with police officers.
Each child receives $200 to spend on gifts, along with a winter coat provided in addition to their shopping allowance.
After shopping, the pairs return to the Flaherty Park Community Center for a festive pizza party.
Parents are encouraged not to join the shopping trip, giving the children a special experience of independence and connection.

Since its inception in 1999, the program has served more than 600 local children, and in 2024 alone, about 25 children participated. The simple act of spending a few joyful hours shopping side by side has left lasting memories for both the officers and the families involved.

On the surface, Shop With a Cop provides gifts and festive cheer. But its deeper impact lies in the relationships it fosters and the message it sends. Programs like this help build positive, face-to-face interactions with law enforcement in a relaxed, friendly environment, showing children that officers are not just authority figures but caring individuals invested in their community.

The result is something that lasts well beyond the holiday season: a sense of connection, safety, and trust that strengthens the entire Wake Forest community.

As the holidays approach, Team Allison & Andrea will continue to share updates and stories about this year’s Shop With a Cop initiative. It is one of our favorite ways to give back because we have seen firsthand how much joy it brings to local families.

We are proud to support a program that embodies the spirit of Wake Forest: neighbors helping neighbors, community coming together, and generosity that shines brightest when shared. Together, we can help make this season a little brighter for every child.

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