Shop with a Cop spreads holiday cheer

Thirty elementary students from Valley Stream District 30 and other surrounding schools gleefully weaved through the aisles at the Walmart in Green Acres on a holiday shopping spree hosted by the Nassau County Police Department for their annual “Shop with a Cop” event on Dec. 8. Tagging alongside each local kid was their badge-wearing shopping buddy, carting their selection of gifts and helping them decide what they’d like to buy.

The charity program offers disadvantaged children an opportunity to purchase presents for their families with the help of friendly neighborhood police officers and fosters a stronger community relationship with the police. Each school selected its students to attend the event. The NCPD Foundation donated $150 gift cards for kids to spend on whatever selection of toys and gifts they wanted. Some officers even added some of their own cash to cover the final bill. Officers picked up each child at their school and took them to Walmart and transported them back. Students were greeted by the NCPD mascot “Leo the Lion” as well as police officers dressed in superhero costumes.