Want to help, too? (click here)

Less than a month from now, on Saturday, Nov. 19, folks who know me know where they’ll find me; at the 10th Annual Shop With Cop party at the McHenry VFW, 3002 Hwy 120 east of the Fox River. The flyer for the event is above this. You can learn the basic information about the charity from the flyer but I’d like to tell you a little more since this is one of my favorite parties and causes.

Here at Performance Unlimited, as members of MC3 McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce marketing connection group, we’ve had the privilege of hosting this event since the group first became involved in 2006. The funds we help to raise go to McHenry Police Charities and benefit area children from families that are struggling with their own economic challenges.

How does it work?

Not long after the Shop With A Cop party, an area police officer will arrive in his or her squad car at the home of one of the children nominated by a social service agency as deserving of the program’s support. The officer will drive the child to a major department store in McHenry where the child will receive a winter coat, hat, gloves and boots along with $150 to spend on holiday shopping. Often, the children are so focused on purchasing gifts for their family members that officers have to remind them to buy something for themselves, too.

After the shopping is completed, the officer drives the child, with the gifts they’ve purchased, to a facility where they will eat while presents are wrapped. There, all the children will have breakfast with the officers. While they dine, members of MC3, and other volunteers, will wrap the presents so they’re ready for Christmas morning.

What’s this about a party?

The party is also where we raise the funds, though it takes considerable preparation in the months leading up to the party. But, the party is also one heck of a good time.

As the flyer above indicates, the party includes live music, food and prizes. The prizes primarily come from raffles, silent and live auctions.

When you enter the VFW, your eyes will behold row-upon-row of tables covered with an almost limitless variety of prizes. There are toys, coupons for free services, such as horseback riding lessons, gift baskets, ceramics and … well, there are a lot of different prizes to bid on.

The raffles start with the first sets of tables. Here, each prize has a cup in front of it where you can drop a raffle ticket if you want a chance to win the item.
Next comes the silent auction tables. Each prize on these tables has a sheet of paper beside it where you can enter a bid. When the bidding is closed, the highest bid on each sheet wins that item.
Finally, there are the live auction items. These are generally the bigger prizes. In past years, they’ve included tickets to a Bears game with a limousine ride to Soldier Field. Last year, the live auction included an African Safari. I should know; Michelle and I recently returned from Africa after tendering the winning bid.

How can you help?

There are a couple of ways you can help. First, you can contribute to the event with a prize or even a cash donation. You’ll find a prize form by clicking here.

If you do make a donation, you can contact us at Performance Unlimited by calling 815-728-0343 during business hours or sending an email to denny@4PerformanceUnlimited.com. You can drop your donation off at our shop – 5415 Austin Ct., Ringwood – or by making arrangements when you call. If you make your donation in time, we’ll add your name and/or business name to the program for the event.

The program already includes names such as Meijer, Olive Garden, Wendy’s, Bekshire Hathaway, Kiera Confections, Cracken Cakes & More, Best Buy, BUDDYZ Chicago Pizzeria, Porte Brown Certified Public Accountants and Bimbos.

The other way you can help is by coming out to the party. Have a drink or two, listen to the music, meet old friends and make some new ones. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the prizes on the prize tables.

The festivities will run from 6 p.m. to midnight. This year, we have the Thompson Duo and LOL performing live music. And, if past years are any indication, the fun meter is pegged on high for this event.