In the space of one week, the Arizona Rangers Verde Valley Company went from announcing it had raised $8,000 for the 2016-18 Verde Valley Shop With a Cop events to announcing it had raised over $12,000.
The donation, the result of a nationwide raffle contest, marks a sixfold increase over last year and a twelve fold increase over 2013 and 2014.
According to Sgt. Craig Libby, public information officer for the Arizona Rangers Verde Valley Company, the raising of so much money marks a “major accomplishment for any Ranger company, and especially shows the generosity of Verde Valley residents.”
The result is due, added Capt. Gary D. Jordan, commanding officer for the Arizona Rangers Verde Valley Company, to interest in the item raffled: A rare rifle.
“Early in the year, we learned we had access to a very special Arizona Ranger Commemorative carbine, serial number 0001,” Jordan said.
“The low serial number, out of the limited quantity production of 100 carbines, makes it a collector’s piece to many people and the company decided to capitalize on this additional value and hold a raffle for the carbine.
“The company purchased the carbine, planned the raffle procedures and arranged the marketing and transfer of the firearm. The popularity of the carbine, combined with the marketing program, resulted in a nationwide effort with tickets sold from coast to coast during the period from early July through Wednesday, Nov. 23.”
Jordan stated that the ability to sell tickets directly to patrons at Cliff Castle Casino and the Sedona branch of Arizona National Bank allowed the Rangers to reach a wider audience. Ultimately, sales from both venues amounted to nearly 25 percent of the funds raised.
On Nov. 25, the winner was announced at the Cottonwood Police Station: Sam Pino of Maryland had acquired the firearm.
“The funds from the raffle were envisioned to endow much of the Shop With a Cop programs for a three-year period: 2016, 2017 and 2018,” Jordan said. “This provides a boost to the funds available but provides funding for future years without overtaxing the support resources available.”
Designed to provide a better Christmas for less fortunate area children, Verde Valley Shop With a Cop occurs Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 a.m. at the Cottonwood Police Department.
The selected youth are invited to breakfast to meet their escort officer for the day. Afterwards they will be greeted by Santa fresh from his arrival at the Cottonwood Airport by helicopter. From there, the children are transported to Walmart, where they are given a gift card to shop for themselves and their family members.
Participating law enforcement agencies include CPD, Clarkdale Police Department, Jerome Police Department, Sedona Police Department, Yavapai-Apache Police Department, Camp Verde Marshal’s Office, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service.
