'Shop With A Cop' Helps 1,500 Children And Families In Need

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

December 9, 2021

The Reach Foundation’s “Shop With A Cop” initiative saw several local police officers take children in need on a trip to the Southington Target to pick out their Christmas gifts Tuesday night.

Matt Mazzochi, of the Reach Foundation, said local police officers took it upon themselves to contact children from families who are less fortunate and take them out to do their Christmas shopping. The Reach Foundation has coordinated “Shop With A Cop” since 2013.

“I think we had around 1,500 kids and families participate in-person and virtually,” Mazzochi said. “It was unbelievable.”

Prior to heading to the Southington Target to pick out their gifts, some children also got to enjoy free dinners at places like Dave & Buster's and Crystal Bees in Southington.

The shopping trip was funded by two fundraisers, the Rising Pint beer festival June 12 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford and Crazy Brew Bash Sept. 28 at Mount Southington Ski Area.

“We at the Reach Foundation wish to offer a big ‘thank you’ to those who came out and supported these events,” Mazzochi said. “Despite everything going on and having to make adjustments for safety, everybody loved the events. They still saw incredible support from the community. We can’t be thankful enough for that. We look forward to seeing everyone at our events in 2022.”

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.