There were miles of smiles and 40 pizzas donated by Dominos, the very popular Santa Claus and Colors the Clown, and aisles and aisles of choices when 53 kids from Manchester, Chelsea, Dexter and Northfield shopped with a cop Wednesday evening at the Scio Township Meijer.
In fact, there were 42 police officers in uniform from the Chelsea and Northfield police departments and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and 53 kids in various stages of face paint.
Started in 2002 by Lt. Brian Filipiak, ‘Shop with a Cop’ used to begin at Creekside Intermediate School in Dexter and the kids were bused to Meijer and back to the school. Today, it’s one-stop shopping.
Chelsea Police Chief Ed Toth said the Chelsea Police Department has been taking part in this event for the last 5-6 years. “It’s a great event for everyone involved and it’s great to have it all in one place now,” he said.
He and his shopping buddy were hard at work making a shopping list, checking it twice and changing it drastically once the two headed out for the main event.
Each child was given $100 to shop, said Sgt. Keith Flores, who organized this year’s event. He said in addition to the officers, there were non-uniform volunteers from U-M, family members, Explorers and even Citizen’s Police Academy members lending a hand.
“It’s all about the kids,” he said.
“Take a look around this room,” said Sheriff Jerry Clayton. “The looks on the officer’s faces — they get as much out of this as the kid’s do. Giving is just as important as receiving.”
And there were a lot of people giving thanks to one another for another successful Shop with a Cop experience.
Ben Negron, director of the Scio Township Meijer, thanked everyone who came out to make it a fun night for all and a special Christmas for so many children. He applauded all of the police officers as well as Scio Township Supervisor Spaulding Clark and the Township Board because, he said, without the support of the township, the Meijer store wouldn’t exist.
“The Meijer family has long held dear its values of not only being a good merchant in the towns we serve, but also being a good neighbor as well,” Negron said, adding, “This event helps to sustain that philosophy.”
Clark said the store and the township have enjoyed a great partnership since the it opened. “This evening is about making Christmas dreams come true for children and families, especially during tough economic times — when the giving spirit is needed most.”
Surprisingly, the children weren’t just thinking of themselves as they roamed aisle after aisle pondering the gift possibilities. They choose things for brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, friends, nieces and nephews.
In fact, one little girl said that she was buying gifts for everyone else on her list first and if there was any money left over, she’d think about getting something for herself.
And as the dolls and toys, games, scarves, books, shoes, socks, coats, candy and baking items filled shopping carts and were pushed to the checkout lanes by the officers, if the total exceeded the $100 allowance, they dipped into their own pockets to make up the difference.
“This is all part of our mission,” Clayton said of the sheriff’s office involvement, “to help build a strong, sustainable community.”
And on 12-12-2012, to make some Christmas magic happen as well.
I was at Meijer’s last night while this was going on. You never saw such big smiles on kids’ faces! It was pretty incredible to see. Thanks to the officers and others who participate in this event.