'One touching moment': Stoughton police bring smiles and joy to kids at 'Shop with a Cop'

‘One touching moment’: Stoughton police bring smiles and joy to kids at ‘Shop with a Cop’

Posted by Admin December 17, 2024 Shopping

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STOUGHTON — Stoughton Police officers brought smiles and joy to local children participating in the Shop with a Cop event at Target.

The event pairs local children in need with local police officers for an evening of pizza, shopping and the holiday spirit.

The program brought together about 20 police officers and 17 local children, each officer accompanying a child as they strolled through the aisles of Target on Tuesday, Dec. 10, selecting gifts and carefully picking out toys, clothes, and other items — both for themselves and their families, Chief Donna McNamara said in a written statement.

“This event is a perfect example of what community policing is all about,” said McNamara. “It’s not just about the gifts; it’s about the connections we build with our neighbors. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces and the pride on our officers’ faces reminds us why we do what we do.”

Star Wars LEGO sets, Nintendo Switch games, Rubik’s Cubes, American Dolls, and action figures were among the gifts children selected.

“In one touching moment, a child debated between a toy for themselves and one for a younger sibling, ultimately choosing to prioritize their sibling’s happiness,” the chief said.

School Resource Officer Lindsay Bonda, who played a key role in coordinating the event, said in the statement, “It’s incredible to see how thoughtful these kids are.” “Watching them shop for their loved ones alongside our officers is what makes this event so special.”

The evening began with a meal of Papa Gino’s pizza and refreshments, allowing officers and families to connect before hitting the aisles.

“All of the officers involved volunteered their own time, attending the event off the clock to make the night memorable for the young participants,” McNamara said.

In addition to their pre-planned budget of $100 per child, officers often dipped into their own wallets to cover additional costs when children found items a bit beyond their allowance, according to the chief.

This year’s program also featured special appearances by police comfort dogs from the Wrentham Police Department and Babson College Police Department, along with their handlers. The comfort dogs “brought smiles and joy to the children and their families,” and their handlers talked to the children about their training and jobs, according to the statement.

The Shop with a Cop program was held annually at least three times in Stoughton before being paused for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the chief.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Stoughton Police Department, Target, and Stoughton Public Schools, the event was brought back this year with renewed enthusiasm,” McNamara said.

The program’s revival stemmed from a conversation between a Target employee and the Police Department, with “Chief McNamara enthusiastically giving the green light to reinstate this holiday tradition,” the statement said.