Shop with a Cop December 8

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Police Department continues to accept donations for its 10th annual Shop With a Cop project, to be held Wednesday, December 8 at the Du Quoin Wal-Mart store.

Wal-Mart last week made a $1,000 contribution to the project which purchases toys, clothing and personal hygiene items for between 75 and 100 children in the Du Quoin area.

Officers from the Du Quoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, Illinois State Police and Department of Corrections will volunteer their time starting at 4:30 p.m. on December 8, according to Du Quoin Police Chief Mike Ward.

Ward said money raised from the department's calendar project funds the program as well as donations from organizations and individuals.

It takes almost $7,500 a year to make the project a success.

Chief Ward said that between the Shop With a Cop project and the Jaycees Toys for Kids program, most families who are in need benefit.

Names are submitted by schools, churches and individuals. The list is compared to the list for the Toys for Kids project. This way there is little crossover.

Ward said it is only one of several holiday initiatives for kids. The Angel Tree project is going on at the Du Quoin Public Library.

Chief Ward said a local lounge on Poplar Street called The Wet Spot is hosting a "Rock With a Cop" event on Saturday, December 4.

Live music will begin starting at 2 p.m. There will be door prizes, a 50-50 drawing, raffles and live entertainment throughout the day.