Buncombe County Schools -

The magic of the season arrived Monday as students excitedly walked through the aisles of Walmart with Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies in tow.
 
During this year’s Shop with a Cop event, BCSO School Resource Officers (SROs) and other deputies met with BCS middle schoolers at the Walmart Supercenter on Hendersonville Road and bought gifts of each child’s choosing. The experience gave our dedicated SROs another chance to build relationships with the students while stepping in to boost Christmas joy. The kids, in turn, spread that joy by focusing on others.
 
“So many of the kids are buying things for their parents and their siblings,” said Sgt. Robert Foster. “These kids care a lot about their families.”
 
The Sheriff’s Office raised money for Shop with a Cop, and each student got to pick out gifts ranging from toys and electronics to bikes, scooters, and school supplies, said BCSO Sgt. Will Fisher. After finishing their shopping, deputies treated the kids to a pizza party at Nesbitt Discovery Academy.
 
“This is a very special time of year, and the kids really appreciate the opportunity to enjoy this time with an officer,” he said. “As much as we can, we actually pair the kids with their own SROs.”
 
SROs have made a tradition of teaming up with the community to benefit children during the holiday season. They also created an Angel Tree this year that allowed them to provide gifts to students at every BCS school.