Local law enforcement join together bringing Christmas joy to kids

Law enforcement from around Cache Valley posing with kids at Walmart during their annual Shop with a Cop, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2014 (Will Feelright)
North Park police officer Nick Bowman helping a child pick out presents during the Shop with a Cop (Will Feelright)

LOGAN — Law enforcement from around the valley joined forces Saturday morning, surprising some local boys and girls to a Christmas shopping spree. The annual “Shop with a Cop,” gave 36 children the chance to select gifts for themselves and family members, with the help of officers, deputies, troopers, and volunteers.

North Park Police Interim Chief Ulysses Black helped organize this year’s event with detective Nick Hidalgo and officer Nick Bowman. He said all of the effort was worth it, when they can see the excitement in the children’s eyes.

“To see the smile on these kid’s faces, when they come in the room and get to eat breakfast with an officer that is in uniform, you hear all sorts of stories from them, it is just that feeling,” said Black. “You can tell they appreciate it. We appreciate it. It is something everybody looks forward to doing every year.”

UHP Lt. Lee Perry chauffeuring a child during the annual Shop with a Cop (Will Feelright)

The kids who were chosen this year were invited to the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, where they were first paired with a member of law enforcement. They then enjoyed breakfast together, complete with scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage and hash browns, served by volunteers from Heritage Auto Group.

After breakfast, the children were chauffeured to the North Logan Walmart in a full police procession with lights and sirens. During the ride, many of the kids were heard using the officer’s loud speaker.

At the store, the law enforcement member helped each child buy presents for their family and themselves. Each had a $100 gift card that had been donated by local groups and businesses. After purchasing the presents, volunteers helped with gift wrapping.

Volunteers helping wrap gifts during the annual Shop with a Cop (Will Feelright)

Detective Hidalgo expressed appreciation for all of the members of law enforcement, who volunteered their time to make the event special for the kids.

“This is such an awesome program,” said Hidalgo. “It’s an awesome opportunity for us to be able to interact with the children and build a good rapport with them, and be able to just be a good guy finally.”

Every law enforcement agency in Cache County participated. The Division of Child and Family Services helped select the children and determine their needs.


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