Children in San Bernardino, California are getting extra festive this year by celebrating the holiday season with a “Shop With A Cop” event. With local law enforcement officials sponsoring the event to help children and their families scoop up some beloved holiday presents at their local Walmart, reportedly hundreds of gifts have already been bought.

Community leaders and police officials note that the popular event is a way of building rapport between law enforcement officials and the people they’re protecting, and the event has been going on for well over a decade now.

The Walmart Corporation is directly involved in the event and has contributed more than $300,000 to the initiative since its partnership with local police forces began.

Through the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Employee’s Benefit Association, some 14 Walmarts in San Bernardino County opened their doors to eager children hungry for some holiday cheer. Those lucky kids who are nominated to the event get paired up with a volunteer, oftentimes a law enforcement official, and receive a voucher for $200 worth of holiday goodies.

"It's a great way to get in touch with the community and give back to those that are less fortunate," Deputy Steve Kuskowski told ABC 7. "And being able to show a little extra love to the little ones."

Popular event

The holiday event is particularly welcome in San Bernardino County following a tough year of fighting intense wildfires, which drew international news coverage owing to their harsh severity.

The LA Times has noted that wildfires throughout the state of California have already devastated nearly 200,000 acres of land, with over 30 people having been killed thus far.

“Shop With A Cop” events hope to deliver a little good news just in time for the holiday season, especially since those children nominated to the event are typically from low-income households that struggle with holiday spending and have to use a money saving website to make ends meet.

Sheriff’s deputies help children throughout the store locate everything from toys and school supplies to new clothing and bicycles.

More events around the country

San Bernardino County isn’t the only host of a “Shop With A Cop” event; the increasingly-popular initiative is gaining traction with law enforcement agencies around the country because of its roaring success.

With local community members and media organizations lauding the police involved in the giving opportunity, the trend is likely to continue growing.

San Bernardino County’s initiative is unique insofar as it’s focused on children over the age of 10, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.
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