INCLUDES HEART-WARMING VIDEO | Watch, as Portland Police Bureau staff act as ‘personal shoppers’ at this outer East Portland event that provides kids with clothing and supplies they’ll need as they go back to back to school …
Law enforcement officers, kids, and their parents gather outside the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer store – as the now-annual “Shop with a Cop” day begins.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not long before schools starts for the year, once again the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) partnered with the Sunshine Division and Fred Meyer, for their now-annual “Shop with a Cop” day early on Thursday morning, August 21st, at the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer store.
All who are involved, including us, look forward to this event in late summer. CLICK HERE to see our 2007 story; or CLICK HERE to see the article we wrote about this in 2015.
See video highlights from this year’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ event, right here:
After the law enforcement “shopping assistants” were briefed about their duties,and given a child-specific shopping list and a $165 Fred Meyer gift card, they were paired with one of the hundreds of Portland area children needing a bit of help to meet back to clothing requirements.
Portland Police Bureau Bob Day helps his student pick up jeans he’ll enjoy wearing.
“It’s important for us to be involved in this, for several reasons,” PPB Chief Bob Day told East Portland News. “First, it provides a level of comfort and security for these students in going back to school – they’ll be well dressed and properly equipped.
“Secondly, it creates an opportunity for us in law enforcement to have a conversation with these kids as we’re shopping. And finally, it’s also an encouragement to us, as we’re able to enjoy the smiles of the kids as we participate in this long-standing tradition.”
Starting out the shopping adventure with his excited young charge is PPB Internal Affairs Captain Chris Lindsey.
“Seeing what ‘Shop with a Cop’ has become, 24 years after we started it – originally with the Lents ‘Weed-and-Seed Program’ – is simply amazing,” remarked Fred Meyer Store Manager Amy Jacobs. “What’s really cheering is that some of the kids we supported, back then, now work for our company!
“Just as the first time, when we first did this at the Fred Meyer store, in the Foster-Powell neighborhood, everyone is smiling here today – our employees, the officers, and especially the kids!”
Helping out that day is Fred Meyer Corporate Affairs Manager Tiffany Sanders, President Todd Kammeyer, and Store Manager Amy Jacobs.
As to why their company continues to participate, Fred Meyer President Todd Kammeyer told us, “Because we feel it’s important for us to give back to our community.”
Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg commented, “Many people know about our organization, but they don’t know about our Izzie’s Kids Fund, founded in 1981, by Isabella Hoyt. She and two other generations of her family served on our Board for many decades. They started this idea way back then. Here we are, 40 some-odd years later, still having every single year this huge back to school event.”
The smiles on the faces of this young man’s mom, the student himself, and PPB Officer Rolondo Guevara, tell you all you need to know about the success of their shopping quest.
PPB Officer Jessica Ruch helps her student pick out a new sweater.
Happy with how the event is going are PPB Sunshine division liaison Rashida Saunders, Fred Meyer President Todd Kammeyer, and Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg.
“This year, a little over 250 students – from kindergarten, through 12th grade – were identified for this by 12 community groups,” pointed out Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg.
“It’s just a wonderful morning when a charity, law enforcement officers, and a great local retail store company come together to organize and coordinate this great day,” he continued.
At the checkout counter is PPB Officer Katie Caramucci.
After shopping, Kristen Drozbowski and Brandy Agness from Columbia Sportswear present the students a backpack of their choosing.
In addition to their new togs and footwear, each child received school supplies and toiletries donated by Fred Meyer, and a backpack donated by Columbia Sportswear – and a variety of back-to-school snacks as well, after they’d checked out.
Find out more about the Sunshine Division at their website: CLICK HERE. And, find out more about the Fred Meyer store near you by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.
Throughout the morning, more kids get to “shop with a cop”.
>> On our Front Page: Helping a student shop is PPB supervisor Major Crimes Unit and Detective Division Sargeant Matthew Jacobsen.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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