BY CORIE LYNN
Many people find great joy in the holiday season. They celebrate Hanukkah with family, exchange gifts at Christmas and go home to reconnect loved ones they have long since seen.
Demetrius Chance, though, knows that many more find the holiday season as a time of financial stress.
He, along with United Way of Ellis County Administrative Assistant Bill Oyet and Walmart Sales Associate William Charles, wanted to provide a form of financial relief for area families.
Chance said they were able to establish a partnership with the United Way of Ellis County and the Schmidt Foundation and Chance’s brand Can You See Me?.
“This partnership will assist 20 families with some financial relief while they have the opportunity to shop with an officer of the local law enforcement,” Chance said.
Communities across the nation participate in Shop with a Cop each year, typically providing children with money so they can go with law enforcement officers to buy toys for Christmas.
In Hays, the event will be expanded to include the entire family.
Chance said that, instead of providing money to children for toys, the money will be given to the family as a whole to purchase necessities. He hopes that this relief then allows parents themselves to buy presents for their children, which he sees as the more meaningful for their children.
As he explained, Chance originally created Can You See Me? to start a universal conversation on mental illness and show how different ethnic groups have dealt with struggles and hardships in the past.
This led him to have seven FHSU professors of seven different ethnic backgrounds share their experiences with mental health. Chance has also used it to tell marginalized stories on race and sexuality, speak on an international podcast and visit with the Jag-K program at Hays High School.
His hopes, however, to specifically target unity in the community through Shop with a Cop as well as dispel misconceptions about law enforcement.
“We wanted to help change that negative rhetoric and open the opportunity for the youth to start and build positive relationships and connections with the local law enforcement,” Chance said, “and show them that despite what they see on TV and social media, there are some police out there that truly have a love for their community and the people in it.”
In light of the tumultuous year, an event such as this is especially needed for families.
“We wanted to bring joy and unity to families this holiday season. It’s vitally important to have things like this during this time, to show people that despite everything that has and is going on around us, we are here for you,” Chance said.
Families are able to shop with a cop on Dec. 20 and 21. The event will be held by appointment to allow for social distancing as groups conduct their shopping.
Families wishing to participate can contact Chance at (910) 336-8597 or canyouseemehays@gmail.com. He asks that they provide information, including the size of the family, the age of the children and contact information.
“For volunteers that want to be part of this event or make a financial contribution,” Chance said, “we have also opened a donation link on our Facebook post for those to make donations to help additional families outside of the 20 families we will select within this partnership.”
While Shop with a Cop will provide families with necessities this holiday, the sponsors also hope it will provide a reminder of the meaning of the holiday season.
“I hope they open their hearts to one another, and let us begin to find even more ways to unify this community no matter the socio-economic status, race, religion, or sexual orientation,” Chance said.