Local Tattoo shop holding Shop with a Cop fundraiser Friday

Sideshow Tattoos and Piercings is the site of a Shop with a Cop program. Submitted Photo

A Park Hills tattoo shop is hosting a fundraiser for the Shop with a Cop program today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sideshow Tattoos and Piercings, 101 Strauss Drive in the Save-a-Lot Plaza, is owned by Docc Nutter, who went over the activities planned for the day.

“This is going to be a blast,” he said. “Kids need a Christmas, and we have a lot going on that day. Princesses, superheroes, juggling, sideshow, bounce house, fake tattoos for kids, live character art, live music, raffles, and three tattoo studios coming together to help kids have a Christmas.”

Artists from Sideshow Tattoos and Piercings, Immortal Keep Tattoo Studio, and Geek Ink are using their talents for piercings and “flash” tattoos. Attendees choose from pre-designed tattoos for a “flash” tattoo experience.

“We are doing flash designs, it helps us keep the line moving,” Nutter said. “Most shops do a $31 tattoo with a mandatory $9 tip, so basically, the same price we’re asking – but we’re donating every dollar raised to the cause.”

Commenting on how competing tattoo shops are coming together for the fundraiser, Nutter said, “This event is really important to us because we get to help the community. It shows that ‘competing’ shops can work together for a common cause.”

Food trucks and other vendors will be set up in the Save-a-lot Plaza parking lot.

“I’m not charging vendors to set up either,” Nutter said. I’m just asking that they make a donation at the end of the day. Same with the food trucks.”

When asked how much money they hope to raise today, Nutter said, “We’re going to try our best to raise at least $4,000. More would be amazing.”

Area businesses have contributed to the fundraiser to make it a festival-like atmosphere. For instance, the bounce house is being provided by Copper Fox Contrived and All Funked Up Collectibles, along with music by Mike Kottrell and the Family Ties Band, character art by Bob Hamby Art, and a fan appearance by Heroes for Kids.

For anyone who gets hungry during the event, several food trucks will be on hand, including Fired and the Raging Rooster.

The Shop With a Cop program is funded and organized by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Association. As Santa’s list grows longer each year, the association makes an effort to help as many children receive gifts for Christmas as possible. The program is designed to provide gifts for underprivileged, needy and at-risk children living in St. Francois County. In addition, the program teaches these children that police officers and deputies are someone they can trust and depend on in a time of crisis.

According to the association, names of program participants are gathered through schools in the county and area shelters. Ages range from 3 to 13 and, in some cases, older. On the designated day, all the children are assembled at the Farmington or Desloge Walmart, where they are allowed to purchase whatever gift they want within a specified cost range. A uniformed officer escorts each child as they shop, and the children are typically allowed to spend $100 each, depending upon the number of children participating and the amount of funds that have been donated.

Money for the program is raised by private and business donations and local fundraisers. According to the association, it is only through the support of local law enforcement agencies and their communities that the children’s dreams and wishes are able to come true.

The SFC Sheriff’s Association said the community’s continued support is “deeply appreciated” and that the program is “their greatest victory.” For more information about Shop for a Cop, contact Lora Henson at the office by calling (573) 431-2777 or (573) 756-3252.

For more information about today’s fundraiser at Sideshow Tattoos and Piercings, go to the business’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sideshowparkhillsmo or call 573-327-9401.

Jeannie Northrup is a staff writer with the Daily Journal. She can be reached at jnorthrup@dailyjournalonline.com