ASHLAND — Christmas shopping for some Ashland children comes with a badge, a police car and a few hundred dollars.
The Ashland Dream Cruise Committee presented a $28,000 check Friday to the Ashland Police Department for its Shop With a Cop program. The donation brings the committee’s total contributions to the program to $278,000 over the past 16 years.
The money from the Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show helps local children experience a Christmas shopping trip they otherwise might not have.
Each child selected for Shop With a Cop is paired with a police officer and given approximately $200 to spend at Walmart.
The nonprofit program is open to children ranging from toddlers to 18-year-olds, depending on circumstances. Children are referred through school resource officers, school liaisons and Associated Charities.
Executive Director of Ashland Main Street, Sandra Tunnel, has been involved with the car show and Shop with a Cop since its beginning. She said the program is a rewarding experience for everyone.
“A lot of times, it’s the first time that they’re not getting handed-down (items),” Tunnel said. “They’re getting brand-new things that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford.”
When Shop With a Cop began, about 20 to 30 children participated. Last year, approximately 300 children took part and the numbers continue to grow.
The children also are encouraged to use part of their money to purchase a toy for another child through Toys for Tots.
The relationship between the car show and Shop With a Cop dates back to the first car show.
Glenn Stewart was Ashland’s mayor when the event began. He remembers being approached by Monte Bowman, Ken Heyl and Ed Stackhouse about holding a car show downtown and closing West Main Street.
“I gave them a political answer,” Stewart said. “I’ll have to get back with you.”
Stewart said he then worked with the state to make the event possible.
He said the organizers had hoped for about 50 cars at the event. Instead, more than 200 rolled into town.
The first car show raised about $8,000 for Shop With a Cop.
What began as a small event has grown significantly over the years. The committee said the car show now attracts hundreds of vehicles and visitors, with people traveling from outside Ashland County.
This year’s car show featured 525 cars, according to the Dream Cruise Committee.
The event also has developed a following among people who want to support the cause.
Some attendees come to the car show specifically to make a donation.
“They come in and say, ‘Where is the donation bin?'” Tunnel said.
The event has become a way for the community to help local children during the holiday season.
“This is the biggest funder of Shop With a Cop,” Tunnel said. “Without this event, we couldn’t sustain (the program).”
The annual car show was originally held on the second Saturday of July in downtown Ashland.
Sixteen years later, what started as a small car show helping only a few dozen children has become a $278,000 tradition.
