Joyful Hands 2024

Mitchell County Schools and Shop with A Cop have partnered together for the 2024 Christmas Season.

The Spruce Pine Police Department started their Shop with a Cop program in 2008. The program was established to build positive relationships between police officers and the children of Mitchell County. In an effort to grow and help more kids, SPPD teamed up with Mitchell County Sheriff's Office and Bakersville Police Department. In years past, officers with the Shop with a Cop program would take children to the sponsoring store (Wal-Mart) to shop and then to eat. Each child would receive an allotted amount of money to spend on Christmas gifts for themselves along with clothing items they need, such as winter coats and shoes. We had children that purchased presents for their family and had to be encouraged by the officer to buy a present of their own.

Mitchell County Schools Joyful Hands Project was established by the Student Service Team to meet the needs of struggling families during the holiday season. This project has served 100's of families over the years. Local donors, organizations, civic clubs and churches helped support the Joyful Hands project by adopting students. These sponsors worked to purchased items needed and make wishlist items come true.

Due to the devastation from Hurricane Helene, the need has grown far larger than any of us could have expected or predicted. For this reason, we want to not only be able to provide for the children but also for the families.

These two organizations want to ensure that all families experience Christmas joy this year. YOU too can experience that Christmas joy by donating and making a family's Christmas!!

The kids may not be able to shop with a cop at the store this year due to the aftermath of Helene and our Joyful Hands project will look a bit different; however, we can assure that they and their families will be provided the support they need at Christmas. This will only happen if you help us. Donate and share this fundraiser with your family and friends. Tell them to help these organizations supply our kids and families with a some much needed happiness this year.

We are looking for help from our wonderful community, neighbors, and country to continue the Shop With a Cop and Joyful Hands project. You can help by making a monetary donation here! Help us make this year extra special for those who have lost so much.

Your donations will be used to 100% to support our students and their families.

Shop with a Cop project director Kasey Cook and Joyful Hands coordinator Angela Atkins are pleased with the outpouring of support these programs continues to receive and acknowledges that we are blessed to be able to help the children of Mitchell County!

Thank you for your donation and prayers!