Clockwise from left, Deputy Chance Weyand stands with his family, consisting of wife Mary, who is holding 1-year-old Grady, and Gabriella, 6, during a recent visit at the Lynn Murray Memorial Library in Chester. Weyand is in his second year of overseeing the Shop With A Cop program operated by the Hancock County Deputy Sheriffs Association. Applications are available at a Hancock County public library or 7Eleven convenience store. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

NEW CUMBERLAND — For almost four decades, Hancock County Shop With A Cop has tried to make sure that no child is giftless at holiday time.

According to Chance Weyand, who coordinates this effort along with colleague Hugh Tate on behalf of the Hancock County Deputy Sheriffs Association, applications are available at all three county 7Elevens as well as the public libraries in Hancock County plus printable version on the non-profit’s official Facebook page.

Upon completion of the application, official interview dates are going to be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 as well as 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Hancock County Courthouse, 102 N. Court St. in New Cumberland.

The application process includes basic information like head of household’s name, address and phone; disclosure of all monthly household income; individual child information like name, date of birth and school; as well as documentation like photo ID, two paystubs, two utility bills, birth certificates or report cards for listed children.

Completed applications will be submitted during individual interviews.

Weyand said this will be the second year that children will be required to be present on shopping day, which will be Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Weirton Walmart.

“Continuing with that in mind, each family will have an officer (and helper) assigned to them to shop based on availability,” he said, adding there will be two available times of 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

“We believe it’s in the best interest of the program to in fact shop with a cop,” Weyand said, adding he would like the program to have more officer engagement as well as involvement with officer families.

All questions regarding Shop With A Cop should be direct messaged to the Facebook page. Do not contact the courthouse with questions

Hancock County Shop with a Cop originated in 1987 with Sgt.Tom Tompos and Sgt. Cliff Bebout, who operated the organization through around 2001. It briefly was co-chaired by civilian volunteers, who assisted with much of the day-to-day operations; however, it returned to complete oversight by the Hancock County Deputy Sheriffs Association in 2025.

A 501(c)3 organization, Hancock County Shop With A Cop is completely donation driven, collecting funds from individuals, businesses and fundraisers, which are then redirected to fund Christmas gifts for children between the ages of birth and 17 that otherwise may not receive anything.

The amount spent on each child is determined by the total donations received for that year.

Anyone wishing to donate can mail a check or money order to Shop With A Cop; P.O. Box 210, New Cumberland, WV 26047.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com