December 9, 2025 3:20 a.m.
Roseburg Police officers and other law enforcement elves will give foster children the gift of hope with a holiday shopping spree just in time for the gift-giving season.
A city release said that City Councilor Andrea Zielinski is again organizing the annual “Shop with A Cop” to be held at Walmart this Saturday, December 13th. The event is being sponsored by Christmas for Kids of Douglas County, with help from donations from the community, FCC Commercial Furniture, and a special stocking drive by a H.O.P.E. Drug Court participant.
During the event, officers will take 38 underprivileged foster children and youths aged 5 to 18 shopping to buy holiday presents for their families. Kids will also visit Santa, who provides gifts including a stocking full of goodies to each child.
In 2024, Roseburg Police Chief Gary Klopfenstein and Sergeant Daniel Allen were among 35 law enforcement personnel who took 20 foster kids shopping to buy holiday presents for their families. Officers also came from several other agencies including the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Cow Creek Tribal Police, Winston and Myrtle Creek Police departments, and Adult and Juvenile Parole and Probation. They were joined by staff with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Walmart donates wrapping paper, tape, scissors and snacks for the shopping spree, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Generous donations will provide each child with $125 to buy holiday presents under a law enforcement officer’s guidance. H.O.P.E. Drug Court participant Toby Marlow coordinated a community project, the “Hope for Kids Stocking Drive” and gathered enough donations to fill 50 “Shop with a Cop” stockings with toys, art supplies, crayon, Play-Doh, chocolates and other holiday treats. He also raised donations to fill 30 stockings for teens through another program.
Those who wish to donation can email: info@c4kdc.org or call 680-5365. For more information on Christmas for Kids of Douglas County, go to: www.christmasforkidsofdouglascounty.org.