Fortunate Rutherford County residents may share their blessings by eating at Toot’s restaurant Tuesday and making a donation to the Shop with a Cop drive.

Sheriff Robert F. Arnold and the School Resource Officers hope to raise enough funds through the Shop with the Cop drive at Toot’s and other donations to take 20 to 25 children Christmas shopping.

Arnold and SROs will visit with diners at Toot’s from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the South Church Streetrestaurant. Diners are asked to donate in envelopes left on the tables. All funds will be used for the Shop with a Cop program.

Due to the tough economy, many families won’t have enough money to buy Christmas presents for their children.

“We want to make Christmas a reality for the unfortunate youth of Rutherford County,” Arnold said.

The sheriff appreciates Toot’s for sponsoring the fund-raising event to help the children in Rutherford Countyschools.

Deputy Jim Noe of the Community Services Unit said donations will be accepted until 4 p.m. Dec. 22 at the sheriff’s at 940 New Salem Highway. Checks should be made out to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office with Shop with a Cop on the tag line.

Sgt. Jimmy Cassidy of the Community Services Unit said some businesses and civic groups have already donated to the Shop with a Cop program.

With the money raised, SROs will accompany the children to breakfast and then drive them to Kmart where they will shop for Christmas presents.