Mid-valley police are gearing up for this year's "Shop with a Cop" events to help disadvantaged children in the mid-valley.

The Lebanon Police Department is hosting Shop with a Cop for selected children in the Lebanon and Sweet Home areas Saturday at Wal-Mart. The Sweet Home Police Department, the Linn County Sheriff's Office and Services for Children and Families are also participating.

The children, ages 4 to 7, will be given a gift certificate and the chance to shop with a police officer for Christmas presents for themselves and family members.

Also on Saturday, officers from the Oregon State Police, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office and Philomath Police Department will shop with children at Kmart in Corvallis.

On Dec. 13, at the Target store in Albany, children will join officers from OSP, the Albany Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

Children shopping in Corvallis and Albany will be given a $25 limit. Kmart and Target are sponsoring 10 children each.

"We all are experiencing in some way the impact of the economy and most of these children would receive very little even in the best of times," said Reita Wyatt, an organizer for the Corvallis and Albany events. There will also be an event held in Salem.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can send a check payable to "Shop with a Cop" and mail it to Oregon State Police, 3400 Spicer Drive, Albany, OR 97322.

Democrat-Herald