Like many of us do during the holiday season, police officers in Montgomery County, Maryland, enjoyed a little retail therapy Saturday morning – but they weren’t shopping for themselves.
Instead, they were shopping with kids from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, hoping to make their holiday season a bit brighter.
Around 30 kids, including Jacqueline, joined officers, making their way through the toy and clothing aisles at the Target in Rockville.
“I got to go buy stuff for Christmas,” Jacqueline happily told WTOP, holding shopping bags nearly overflowing with merchandise.
Her favorite purchase was a pair of pink and white shoes.
While Legos and the latest Marvel movie toys lit up the children’s eyes, it was the kids themselves that lit up the eyes of the participating officers.
“Whatever we can do to try to bring a little bright sunshine to their lives,” said Commander Elizabeth Hattenburg with the Rockville Station. “The officers love it. We have officers signing up to come out and do it, because who doesn’t like to go shopping with kids? It’s a great thing, especially for the holiday.”
To make it even more festive for the kids, Hattenburg wore a pair of reindeer antlers along with a red and green tutu.
Each child received $100 to find presents for themselves. Some, however, decided to spend their money on gifts for others. One young boy shopping with Hattenburg decided to buy a present for his little sister.
“He says his sister loves dinosaurs. So we found this big plush dinosaur with little teeny T-Rex arms. And so hopefully she’s going to like it,” Hattenburg said.
Many of the kids ended up going over their $100 limit, and many of the officers, like Hattenburg, paid the difference out of pocket.
“It’s just the smiles on their faces that make it all worthwhile,” Hattenburg said.
The Montgomery County Police nonprofit Foundation has raised enough money to take nearly 100 kids shopping this holiday season.
“It’s something that the children enjoy and need and really like. And it builds a great relationship between the police department and the children,” said Robert Linn, a member of the foundation’s board.
