General News

Local community coming together with creativity this Fall to give back to annual Nottawasaga OPP event

October 13, 2022   ·   0 Comments

Murphy’s Farm Market & Bakery is again raising money to support the Nottawasaga OPP’s annual Shop With A Cop event through the newly branded Murphy’s Magnificent Hay Bales.

Started in 2021, the annual initiative invites local businesses, organizations, non-profits and partners to sponsor and decorate a hay bale at the Alliston-area farm. The bales will be in place at the roadside and in the Fun Farm Yard play area throughout October as part of Murphy’s 2022 Fall Fest.

“On behalf of the team at Murphy’s Farm Market & Bakery, we want to thank the generous sponsors who joined us this year in supporting Shop With A Cop through Murphy’s Magnificent Hay Bales,” said Murphy’s owner Hollis English. “Not only have these bales contributed to an even more exciting Fall Fest at the Farm, but these sponsorships mean children in need will enjoy a magical Christmas season filled with joy, happiness and gifts. We are so grateful for the immense support we have seen, and none of this would have been possible without our community partners.”

This year’s cohort of more than 15 sponsors includes: Alliston Botanix, Concession Road Mercantile, Rebel Crumb Cake Shop, the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, Alba Lisa All Natural Mexican Food, Belle Dolci, Booster Juice Alliston, Morgan McCabe Law, Carmela Rizzello Photography, DJ MasterMix, The Hummel Team, Lolite Fitness Studios, Megan McKay Real Estate, Louise Vienneau, Roots & Raven, Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation, Tara Ouimet – Keller Williams Experience Realty and TC Contracting.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, Murphy’s Farm helps to coordinate the Shop With A Cop event in collaboration with the Nottawasaga OPP and the team at Canadian Tire Alliston. Taking place on Saturday, Dec. 10 of this year, the community policing initiative pairs fifth-grade students from schools in New Tecumseth with a police officer for a fun day of holiday shopping, gift wrapping and Christmas cheer as they pick out presents for themselves and their families. In 2021, more than $3,600 was raised in support of Shop With A Cop.

“Murphy’s Magnificent Hay Bales are perfect for the fall season, and the creativity put into them by numerous community members is truly eye-catching,” shared Constable Cindy Jacome of the Nottawasaga OPP. “The hay bales are a fun way to kick off our fundraising efforts for our annual Shop with a Cop event. Every year, our officers look forward to this opportunity for us to interact with youth in a positive setting while helping them shop for their families for the holiday season.”

“Last year was our first time being involved with SWAC [Shop With a Cop], and everything from the fundraising to the event has brought excitement and pride to our staff, store and the community,” shared Adriano Dalle Rive, general manager at Canadian Tire Alliston. “There’s something very special about having these children shopping around the store with the officers. It has allowed the children to be excited about the holiday season, and there were so many laughs and magical moments. We are all very excited for the event this year, which will be even bigger and better than last year!”

Fundraising efforts are year-round, with cash donations collected at both Murphy’s Farm and Canadian Tire Alliston. Shop With A Cop fundraising is also incorporated into ongoing programming and promotions, such as the Christmas in July initiative and the annual Magical Christmas Market event in late November. More information about Shop With A Cop and how to support this year’s event can be found onlie at murphysfarmmarket.com/swac.

Murphy’s Magnificent Hay Bales are part of the annual Fall Fest, which operates Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Halloween (Oct. 31). Learn more about the event, including admission prices, at murphysfarmmarket.com/fallfest.

Readers Comments (0)