(KNSI) — Dozens of kids will be able to give their loved ones gifts this Christmas thanks to the annual Shop with a Cop event Wednesday night.
Bernick’s Pepsi and Walmart in St. Cloud teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources, the St. Cloud, St. Joseph, and Waite Park Police Departments, and the Minnesota State Patrol to take 71 kids shopping. They get $75 to shop one on one, according to St. Cloud Police Sergeant Greg Kleinfelter. “We only allow one shopper. A couple of these families, the one shopper has to shop for their four siblings. So it’s quite the adventure.”
Kleinfelter says the program allows them to have contact with kids who need a little help. “We’re able to spend time with children that oftentimes see us in a negative light or are scared of us somehow. And we get to laugh and joke with them, have a great time and spend money. It’s amazing. All kids open up when you get to go shop for them.”
There was a special checkout for the kids, and officers gift-wrapped the presents.
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Jake Judd/KNSI News
Jake Judd/KNSI News
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