By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – For the past two weekends, the aisles of Wal-Mart in Niles has been filled with smiling faces, police officers and shopping carts full of Christmas gifts, thanks to the annual Shop With A Cop program.
This year, 60 area children had the chance to shop side-by-side with volunteer uniformed officers from the Niles City Police Department, Buchanan Police Department, Buchanan American Legion, Berrien County Sheriff's Department, Edwardsburg Police Department and Cass County Sheriff's Department.
The Shop With A Cop program, which was held on Saturday Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, allows area children to enjoy a brighter Christmas with the help of uniformed "heroes."
"It was such a great year. We had a lot of children buying gifts for their family members before shopping for themselves," Mary Jane Davis, an associate at Wal-Mart said.
Shop With A Cop works by using volunteer uniformed officers from the community to take children shopping for Christmas gifts that their families may not otherwise be able to provide. Officers picked up the children from their homes in a squad car and headed to Wal-Mart with money donated from various resources.
This year, Wal-Mart donated a total of $2,300 to local agencies. Cass County, Buchanan Police, Buchanan American Legion and Berrien County also raised addition funds for the event. Every child a chance to spend at least $100, with some able to spend $150.
"It was so neat to see. These kids get so excited, especially knowing they have that kind of money to spend," Davis said.
After the children shopped, they were treated to a free kids meal from Subway.
Children who participate in the program are selected with the help of local elementary schools and police departments. The amount of funds available determines the amount of children able to participate.
Shop With A Cop was started seven years ago and continues to be successful each year thanks to the generous donations of area business, organizations and individuals.
The goal of the program is to provide every child with a happy, more fulfilling Christmas, a more positive outlook on their home life, community and people that serve them and to instill the true giving spirit of Christmas.