28 kids treated to ‘shopping spree’
Published 9:23 pm Monday, December 6, 2010
One might imagine it was quite the wish come true for some local kids as they participated in the Shop with a Cop program at Wal-Mart early Saturday morning.
Wal-Mart hosts Shop with a Cop, during which local children get a chance for a special shopping spree at the store while accompanied by local law enforcement.
Saturday’s event was held for the Niles City Police Department, Buchanan City Police Department and Buchanan City Fire Department.
“It was fabulous,” Mary Jane Davis, community relations coordinator at Wal-Mart, said Monday. “We had 28 kids total — five from the Niles City Police Department and 23 for the Buchanan City Police Department and Buchanan City Fire Department.
“Each child got $100 to spend,” she said.
Kids participating in the program were treated to refreshments of cookies, cupcakes and punch prior to taking control of the shopping carts.
“Most of the time, the children are looking to buy not for themselves, but most of the time the children are looking to buy for the moms and dads and sisters and brothers and grandmas and grandpas,” Davis said. “Most of the time we have to encourage them to buy something for themselves.”
This year, Davis said, she noticed a lot of the children were buying clothing. Some went straight for the toys and electronics and some were even buying fruit.
“We look forward to it every year,” Davis said, “because it’s giving back to the community, because you know, the community gives so much to us … without the community, our store wouldn’t have grown as much as it has grown.”
The event is also a special occasion for police officers, according to Niles City Police Officer Kevin Kosten.
“I’ll tell you, for police officers, it’s one of our favorite programs,” Kosten said. “Especially mine, because our normal day-to-day duties, you’re just going from call to call and are very busy. We rarely get the time to spend with kids.”
The Shop with a Cop program, he said, gives officers the opportunity to “set aside time with these kids to spend with them and let them know that somebody cares about them.”
Wal-Mart offers a grant to the Niles City Police Department that helps make possible opportunity for the organization to participate in the program. Kosten said the police department also uses funds from the departmental budget.
According to Davis, the American Legion post in Buchanan helps raise money in order to offer the program to as many children as possible.
Local businesses are also helping out, Kosten said. Veni’s, Color Me Christian, Subway and Galaxy Roller Rink donated candy, coloring books and coupons.
The Niles Police Department works with Niles Community Schools to get recommendations for kids who could benefit from the program.
“We’d love to get as many kids as possible,” Kosten said. “The need is great right now.”
And it certainly can bring some extra joy during the holiday season. One of the children who took part this year, Kosten said, recently experienced a death in the family.
“I know (her) mother was really appreciative,” he said.
Kosten said anyone wishing to donate to the program can stop at the Law Enforcement Complex on Silverbrook Avenue to make a donation or contact him at the Niles City Police Department.
The Cass and Berrien county sheriff’s departments will hold their Shop with a Cop programs at the Niles Wal-Mart Saturday.