Release
BRYAN COUNTY – For the last 14 years, local police officers, firemen, highway patrolmen, sheriff’s deputies, game rangers, EMS staff, disaster management people, and many other volunteers and donors who give their time, money, and resources to help improve the lives of those less fortunate throughout Bryan County Oklahoma, have made the Christmas holidays brighter those in our community that are struggling at Christmas time make it a little brighter for themselves and their children.
For many families with kids it can be increasingly tough due to job loss, medical related expenses, and many other reasons that limit the amount the parents can spend on their little ones at Christmas. It’s especially tough on the little ones who don’t understand the situation, and can’t wake up on Christmas morning to find toys and other gifts under the tree. The Durant Police Department Shop With A Cop program has worked hard to help make Christmas better for them all.
However, this years’ COVID-19 crisis has temporarily turned our country “upside down” as we try to navigate the uncharted waters of this new virus, trying to keep our fellow citizens healthy, and attempting to get things back to normal, if possible. Opinions vary among the various agencies and health care providers, but two or three general rules prevail: 1. Social distancing 2. Practice frequent personal sanitation, and 3. Avoid large crowds and gatherings without face masks or protective wear. These guidelines are somewhat vague, and subject to individual interpretation.
The Shop With a Cop Program itself has become a victim of its own success, and is simply too big to put on safely this year for the more than 700 participating families, emergency personnel, and numerous volunteers. Therefore, for everyone’s safety we are temporarily suspending operations until further notice.
We look forward to restarting the event as soon we can safely do so, and urge you to watch for more updates as they become available. The health of our community’s residents, first responders, and caregivers is at stake, and we want to help protect the health of generations to come. May you all have a safe and blessed holiday season.