By: Anne Northrup
Sponsored by The Bob McCarthy Foundation this past Tuesday, December 10th our own
Police Officer and School Safety Agent, Amber Graham took children from the
Ellicottville Central School’s Special Education Department to Walmart to “Shop with a
Cop.”

This Annual Event spearheaded and organized by the Ellicottville Police Department is
a wonderful way that the department gives back to our community.

The Children spent time leading up to this event planning their trip! They made lists of
items they needed and exchanged lists with their classmates. They spent time learning
to budget the monies they would have to spend so they could fill their Christmas lists
efficiently. After buying gifts for their classmates, they also bought wrapping paper, tape,
and ribbons and learned how to wrap the presents for Christmas. They also had enough
money to buy items for fun projects to do in their classrooms in the weeks ahead.

The day was filled with smiles and fun for kids. After their big shopping spree, they were
treated to Pizza at Tim and Bonnie’s Restaurant.

Officer Graham told me that this was an incredibly fun and rewarding event to watch the
children learn so many skills involved in gift buying for others during this special time of
year. They also were able to interact with Officer Graham and learn that their school
safety agent was there to help them, and they should feel comfortable around the police
as someone they can trust if they need help.

From the photos of the event, you can certainly see the joy on their faces. Thank you to
Officer Graham, the teacher aides, and the Bob McCarthy Foundation for their support
to make this event a possibility.

It is through the generosity of our community that supports the BMF that the Board of
the BMF can budget for and endorse events like this. For more information on the
foundation, our history and our vision please visit www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com or
visit our facebook page. We just wrapped up our annual fundraiser the Bob McCarthy
Foundation Irish Christmas on December 6 th where we were able to raise money so we
can support events like this. Bob would love this as he was a Special Education teacher
in the Buffalo School District before retiring to Ellicottville.

See all of the photos here: https://bobmccarthyfoundation.com/shop-with-a-cop-2024/

Please consider donating to us and send to PO Box 301, Ellicottville, NY 14731.