MONROE - There were plenty of smiles Saturday at the annual "Shop with a Cop" event at Walmart.
Police officers from around the county teamed up with children to make Christmas a little more special. The children were able to do a little Christmas shopping for themselves, or for their families.
For the more than 100 children who took part in the event, it meant that Christmas would be a little more special this year.
"You see the excitement in their expressions and we get to share that," said Jim Kosek, Monroe Police Department captain.
Kosek has been involved with the program since it started nine years ago.
Kosek and Monroe Police Officer Chris Hammel helped a brother and sister buy gifts. The two officers pushed the shopping cart and helped the kids as they picked out the Christmas gifts they wanted to buy.
"We really have a good time doing this," Kosek said.
It was a common feeling. For the officers, it was an opportunity to give back to the community.
"The kids get to see police officers in a different light," said Bob Levitt, Albany Police chief. Levitt is chairman of the county's "Shop with a Cop" program.
Levitt said the officers look forward to the event. They help children pick out toys and just spend some time with them, Levitt said.
"People think that being a police officers makes a person callous, but I've seen officers take money from their wallets to help the children pay for some of the toys," Levitt said.
The program allows each child to spend up to $100 for presents, but if the child goes over the amount, it's not a problem, Levitt said.
"This is about helping kids," he said. "With the tough economic times, it's a good thing to do. We see more and more families that need a little extra help."
Children were paired with sheriff's deputies, detectives and police officers from around the county. Once the children had a shopping partner, the tandem walked down the aisles with shopping carts and lists of what to buy.
There also were plenty of volunteers to help wrap the presents so the children could take them home and put them under their trees.
Green County Law Enforcement Administrator Association sponsored the program, along with the help of Walmart.
Police officers from around the county teamed up with children to make Christmas a little more special. The children were able to do a little Christmas shopping for themselves, or for their families.
For the more than 100 children who took part in the event, it meant that Christmas would be a little more special this year.
"You see the excitement in their expressions and we get to share that," said Jim Kosek, Monroe Police Department captain.
Kosek has been involved with the program since it started nine years ago.
Kosek and Monroe Police Officer Chris Hammel helped a brother and sister buy gifts. The two officers pushed the shopping cart and helped the kids as they picked out the Christmas gifts they wanted to buy.
"We really have a good time doing this," Kosek said.
It was a common feeling. For the officers, it was an opportunity to give back to the community.
"The kids get to see police officers in a different light," said Bob Levitt, Albany Police chief. Levitt is chairman of the county's "Shop with a Cop" program.
Levitt said the officers look forward to the event. They help children pick out toys and just spend some time with them, Levitt said.
"People think that being a police officers makes a person callous, but I've seen officers take money from their wallets to help the children pay for some of the toys," Levitt said.
The program allows each child to spend up to $100 for presents, but if the child goes over the amount, it's not a problem, Levitt said.
"This is about helping kids," he said. "With the tough economic times, it's a good thing to do. We see more and more families that need a little extra help."
Children were paired with sheriff's deputies, detectives and police officers from around the county. Once the children had a shopping partner, the tandem walked down the aisles with shopping carts and lists of what to buy.
There also were plenty of volunteers to help wrap the presents so the children could take them home and put them under their trees.
Green County Law Enforcement Administrator Association sponsored the program, along with the help of Walmart.