Enjoy listening to, and watching, this 20-minute MyFESTUS.com Conversations Episode:
First Responders Respond to Family Needs with Jeffco Shop with a Cop: a Conversation with Captain Lewis Pippin:
Podcast Summary
In this episode of the MyFESTUS.com Conversations show, host Sara speaks with Captain Lewis Pippin of the Festus Police Department about the Jeffco Shop with a Cop program. They discuss the origins of the nonprofit, its growth over the years, and the positive impact it has on underprivileged children during the holiday season. Lewis shares heartwarming stories from the community, the importance of first responders creating positive experiences for children, and how the community can get involved to support this impactful initiative. Their conversation emphasizes the significance of community connection and support.
Itty-Bitty, Inspiring Takeaways
- Jeffco Shop with a Cop started to help underprivileged kids during Christmas.
- The program has grown from serving 17 kids in 2017 to nearly 600 kids in 2024.
- Counselors from local schools help identify children in need.
- The program fosters positive interactions between children and first responders.
- Community involvement is crucial for the success of the program.
- Events and fundraisers can be organized to raise money for the initiative.
- Every dollar donated makes a difference in a child’s life.
- The experience of shopping with first responders is memorable for kids.
- Community is seen as family and a source of positivity.
Quotable Sound Bites
“We started running that program together.”
“We answered some prayers all year long.”
“It’s a fun, positive energy.”
“Community is family.”
Podcast Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to MyFESTUS.com Conversations
01:07 Meet Captain Lewis Pippin
03:26 Understanding Jeffco Shop with a Cop
08:07 Growth and Impact of the Program
10:27 Heartwarming Stories from the Community
12:45 The Experience of Shopping with First Responders
16:06 Community Involvement and Support
18:26 The Meaning of Community to Lewis Pippin
💙Thank you for making listening an itty-bitty habit to create a BIG impact in your life.💙
CONNECT:
“Jeffco Shop with a Cop is a not for profit, based out of Jefferson County Missouri.
The organization is made up of over 30 first responder agencies (Police, Fire, EMS, and Dispatch) and is designed to take under privileged children shopping at Christmastime.”
Festus Police Department – 100 Park Ave, Festus, MO 63028
636-937-3646 (Ask for Jessica Griffaw, Lewis Pippin, or Stephanie Rogers)
jgriffaw57@festusmo.gov or lpippin58@festusmo.gov
👮🏼♂️Thank you for SHARING this to SPREAD THE WORD as you CONNECT more people to SUPPORT a generous and compassionate community.👮🏼♂️
Read another story I wrote about this impressive, miraculous local nonprofit organization:👮🏼♂️💙🛒⬇️
Lewis Pippin and Jeffco Shop With A Cop: On a Mission to Create Magical Miracles
More conversations and fun interviews with local leaders:
The Podcast Pilot with a Purpose-Driven Pair: Scott Seek and Andy Held
Keywords
MyFESTUS, community, Jeffco Shop with a Cop, local leaders, Festus Missouri, police department, nonprofit organization, community support, holiday giving, first responders
