The Leadership Shawnee Class of 2009 will sponsor a “Shop with a Cop” holiday shopping trip in December for 30 or more area youngsters.

The class is raising money through contributions and members will work for tips and donations from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at McDonald’s, said Jennifer Gilbert, a class member. The plan is to raise enough money for at least 30 kids to shop with a $50 gift card each. A local law enforcement officer will accompany each child.

“We’d like to do twice that amount if the funds are available,” Gilbert said. “The leadership class as a whole felt it was important to make the largest impact on the families in Shawnee and the best way to do that was by doing something positive for the children in our community.”

“The leadership class agreed that this would be a great way to give back to our children as well as teach them that the local law enforcement agencies are here to help them and be their friends, someone they can count on.”

Children will be selected for Shop with a Cop from referrals at Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency. Anyone wishing to nominate a child should call 275-6060 and ask for Melissa McKay.

Leadership Shawnee is an annual class conducted by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. Classes typically are made up of between 25 and 30 participants who study local topics and organizations, including community development, economic development, tourism, media, city, state and tribal government, education, health and community services and heritage. Participants also complete a class project selected by the class.

Cindy Lantz, program director for Leadership Shawnee, said the program started in 1984 and began having class projects in 2002. This year’s class has 27 members.

Steve Wallace, chairman of the Chamber’s Leadership Shawnee committee, said previous class projects have included providing a Christmas party and gifts for Snowflakes for Kids; buying books for incarcerated persons at the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center; and collecting supplies for the Unzner Center.