For the 18th year in a row, children in need were paired with local law enforcement officers on Wednesday evening to shop for gifts, eat pizza, visit Santa, create stuffed animals, decorate cookies and make memories.
The annual Shop with a Cop event aims to give back to the Washtenaw County community and provide children in need with the opportunity to shop for gifts for their loved ones.
“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said UMPD Deputy Chief Melissa Overton. “Getting to spend time with children from our community, hearing their laughter and seeing smiles on their faces is what makes this event so magical.”
UMPD Deputy Chief Overton was matched up with her son, a WCSO Explorer, to shop with her assigned children.
The event is fully funded through donations and aims to provide children with not only a shopping spree at Meijer, gift cards to local restaurants, a gas card and an evening of fun, but also essentials that the family may not be able to afford like winter coats, gloves, socks, underwear and other necessary items.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office collects donations year-round to support the event. All of the proceeds go toward the event to support the local families in need. If you’re interested in donating, you can do so by visiting the Shop with a Cop Facebook page and clicking “shop now.”