Former S’mayd alderman calls for water bill donations to benefit ‘Shop with a Cop’

While he may not have been re-elected to the City Council this month, former Southmayd Alderman Mark Everett is still working to benefit his community.

Following the May 2 election, Everett took to social media with a call to action on behalf of the Southmayd Police Department.

In his post on May 4, Everett commended Police Chief Jeff Laughlin and the entire department for their professionalism and loyalty.

“They do so much more than anyone can fathom, asking for nothing in return,” Everett wrote. “As I part ways on the council help me help this department with one thing...”

Everett then challenged readers to donate $10 extra on their monthly water bill to benefit the Southmayd Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop program.

Each December, Southmayd Police and Fire Departments, Collinsville and CISD Police Departments, Tioga Police Department, S&S CISD, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens participate in the annual Shop with a Cop event. 

In partnership with Ashten’s Compassion, children are nominated by local schools, churches and officers to join law enforcement representatives for a shopping spree at the Wal-Mart in Sherman.

The Southmayd Police Department has been participating in Shop With a Cop since 2015. In its first year, the event was able to assist only eight kids. Since then, numbers have ranged from 20 to 241.

Everett said that if everyone would donate $10 extra on their water bill, the donations would yield over $60,000 per year.

“Match me in $10 per month; just 33 cents per day for one year to energize this charity,” he wrote. “It’s a selfless act we all can do, so please help me out.” 

He went on to write that while he may serve the community again in the future, for now this is the service to which he will be dedicating his time and energy.