Dubuque’s Shop with a Cop Event Hopes to Prepare 100 Kids for School

In Dubuque and across Iowa, folks tend to look out for one another. It’s just how things have always worked here. That’s why programs like Shop with a Cop continue to matter year after year, especially in smaller communities.

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According to a recent press release, local police officers have been teaming up with Dubuque kids for the past 14 years, for something that’s about a whole lot more than shopping. Through Shop with a Cop, children who could use a little extra help are paired with a police officer for a day that usually includes a meal, some laughs, and a trip to a local store to pick out clothes, school supplies, or other necessities.

It really is a unique event and experience. Kids walk in a little unsure and walk out smiling, bags in hand, talking about their favorite officer or the shoes they finally got to pick out for themselves. Officers volunteer their time, trading a uniformed role for one that feels more like a big brother, neighbor, or mentor. That’s what makes it have such a big impact.

Last year alone, the Dubuque Police Protective Association raised more than $25,000 to help nearly 100 local children. That doesn’t happen without the support of our local businesses, organizations, and everyday people who believe that lending a hand makes the biggest difference.

Shop with a Cop also builds trust, and that is priceless in today's society. It shows kids that police officers aren’t just people they see in tough moments, but as people who care about them and their future. The goal has always been breaking down walls, building relationships, and reminding everyone involved that Dubuque is stronger when we show up for each other.

Around here, that kind of effort still means something, and donating to Shop with a Cop is a good place to start.