IRVINE – Christmas came early for a group of nearly 60 kids from a local shelter on Thursday, with dozens of Irvine Police personnel helping them find the perfect gift as part of the annual Shop-With-A-Cop event.
About 57 kids from Human Options and 45 police employees met up at Stonefire Grill, before pairing off for a shopping excursion at a nearby Target.
Sponsored by Irvine Police, Human Options and Team Kids, the event brought together a variety of local businesses and outreach groups, including:
•Stonefire Grill, who contributed a buffet dinner and $100 gift card for each child,
•Target, who donated $50 gift cards for each child,
•Police employees, who contributed their own time, and in some cases money,
•Barnes and Noble, who provided new books for the kids.
•The Chuck Jones Center of Creativity, who provided cartoon art for the kids.
Volunteers described the Shop-With-A-Cop event as a moving experience.
“During the shopping event and throughout the evening, our officers and professional staff strove to build trusting relationships through a demonstration of compassion, understanding and support for these children,” Irvine Police Cmdr. Mike Hamel said. “We are hopeful the relationships we formed during this annual event will have a lasting impact on these children and their confidence in the law enforcement community to serve and protect them.”
