MERIDIAN, Miss– This mad dash for Christmas is the 2nd Annual Blue Light 5k, 2 mile walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run all happening this weekend in Meridian.
It’s September so to see something about the mad dash for Christmas shopping seems a little out of place; with the Meridian Police Benevolence Association, saving up for Christmas is an all year thing.
“We do events like this, golf tournaments and other things all year,” says Barbara Dubose with the Meridian Police Benevolence Association, “we raise the money for ‘Christmas With A Cop’.”
“Christmas With A Cop” is a program the MPBA does every year. They take families shopping for Christmas presents for their children they may not can afford.
“We take applications from the schools and shelters,” says Dubose, “and we take the most needy.”
Dubose says the cops will take the kids and their families shopping to get them a few things for Christmas. They usually have a $125 budget.
“They have to buy a couple of things they need,” Dubose says, “but then we get them something Santa would have gotten them for Christmas.”
Three years ago they helped nearly 200 children. Last year, they only had the money for 35.
“Even if it’s only thirty,” says Dubose, “we want to help those kids.”
The event is Saturday and you can run for $25. Registration starts at 6:30pm with the events starting at 8pm.
You can support Christmas With A Cop by getting in touch with the Meridian Police Department at 601-485-1893.
