STEUBENVILLE — The Upper Ohio Valley Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 97 will again host its annual Shop with a Cop program.

Lodge members and volunteers are striving to create positive interactions and relationships between area youths and local law enforcement officers, according to organizers.

This will be an opportunity for officers, children and their families to spend time shopping with one another and purchase winter clothing, gifts and toys. In addition, families will have the chance to pick out a ham or turkey for their Christmas dinner.

Members and volunteers of the lodge work hard every year to seek out and receive monetary donations from other organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the Ohio Valley area in order to assist in helping children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old and their families become prepared for the holiday season.

Many people can relate to the struggles, stress and disappointment that moments of financial hardship can implement on a family, organizers stated.

“Shop with a Cop is a holiday blessing, giving less fortunate children a Christmas experience that without the help from the community, they may not otherwise have,” officials said. “It’s only through the help of community members like you that the Shop with a Cop event can and will be successful.”

Officials added, “Sponsors will provide a holiday blessing for a deserving child in the community and help to promote public relations between our organization’s law enforcement officers and the citizens of Jefferson and Harrison counties.”

Businesses, organizations and individuals from within the Ohio Valley and its surrounding areas can help Lodge 97 make this 37th-annual Christmas event a success by becoming a holiday sponsor, organizers noted.