Battle Ground Police officers helped brighten the holidays for more than 20 local children during the annual Shop with a Cop event on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Battle Ground Walmart.
The program, hosted collaboratively by the Battle Ground Police Department (BGPD), Walmart, Battle Ground Seniors Inc. and Pepsi Co., brought together officers, professional staff and volunteers for a special holiday shopping trip, according to a City of Battle Ground news release.
Children selected through a nomination and lottery process were given a set budget to shop. Many chose gifts for family members before selecting items for themselves, and some picked out necessities such as socks, shoes and toothbrushes. Officers and volunteers also stepped in to cover remaining costs when purchases exceeded a child’s budget.
Walmart surprised participants with a new bicycle for each child at the end of the event.
“Events like Shop with a Cop allow us to build positive connections with youth in our community,” the department stated in the release, noting the program’s role in creating meaningful holiday memories for local families.
