Shopping with Cops/ Dundee Police share holiday cheer with children
Each year the Dundee Police Department looks forward to spreading some holiday cheer within the community.
The department looks forward to the one night a year where officers escort children on a Christmas shopping spree for their event called Shop with a Cop.
The department works hard each year to raise money for the event that allows them to gift 14 Dundee kids $100 each to purchase toys or items of their choosing in the name of holiday spirit. The department also provides the family of each child with $100 gift card for the families to use toward food, or whatever they need, for the holiday season.
On Thursday night, the kids and their families piled off a Lake Erie Transit bus and into Walmart on a hunt for all the gifts on their Christmas list. Darlyne Billau, a 5-year-old kindergartener at Dundee Elementary, had her eyes set on one thing.
“I want a Barbie house,” she blurted out as she made her way to the toy aisles.
She quickly found a ballerina doll that she hoisted into her cart along with a Crayloa craft set and miniature sparkle covered book bag.
After some searching, Darlyne found a Disney princess kitchen set that was just what she was looking for and she placed into the cart all by herself. Her mother, Barbara Gardner, said she wanted the event to be a surprise to her daughter.
“I didn’t tell her at all until we walked in the door,” said Gardner. “She had no idea we were coming. She’s a little nervous about cops so she was a little nervous at first but once she saw all the other kids she started to warm up."
She said her daughter can be shy at times, but you could never tell as she wondered through the aisles talking to Dundee police officer, Chris McGlynn, about the items on her Christmas list. Billau said she recognized McGlynn from occasionally being at her school.
Nolen Simpson, 5, of Dundee Elementary School was also selected for the shop with a cop event. His mother, Shalynn Korzowski, said the number one thing on his list was a Hot Wheels set, which he promptly found. He and Dundee Officer Ken Maran discussed which of his race cars would be the fastest.
When Korzowski heard her son had been chosen for the event, she knew he would be ecstatic.
“I thought it was super cool and that he was going to love it,” Korzowski said. “He was really excited. I just think it’s super great that they’re able to do this for the kids.”
Dundee Police Chief Randy Sehl said his department looks forward to this night every year. This is the 8th annual Shop with a Cop event.
“It’s probably our favorite night of the year, it really is,” Sehl said. “Just to see their faces light up and have a little interaction with the police. A lot of the time it’s the first time they have had any interaction with us and we try to make it a positive experience.”
Sehl said the department fundraises throughout the year to be able to host this event. Most funds are raised at their annual golf outing hosted at the Dundee Golf Club each May.
“This is possible because of a group that we have out in Dundee called the Volunteers in Police Service which is kind of like a fundraising booster group for us and they’re able to raise funds so we can give back to the community,” said Sehl.
Sehl said the department reaches out to Dundee Elementary School each year to learn of students or families that could use some extra community support around the holidays. The students are also treated to a pizza party with supplies donated by the Papa Johns in Dundee.
Lake Erie Transit (LET) also plays a huge role in spreading the holiday cheer each year. Mickey Germani, the operations manager for LET said she has been a part of the event since the start. LET provides the police department with a bus that transports the students from Dundee to the local Walmart where the shopping occurs. Germani and her team of LET employees, who volunteer their time, work to decorate the bus and dress in festive costumes. Germani said it was her bubbly personality that led her to wanting to spice up the event with costumes and decorations.
“I said we need to get more festive,” said Germani, who dresses up at Mrs. Claus each year. “I said `come on, we need more than just Santa, let’s do it all!' So we started decorating the buses and singing with the kids. Every year has gotten bigger.”
Sehl said he is grateful for the support the department receives from the community each year.
“It’s just a big community outpouring for these kids,” said Sehl.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Shopping with Cops/ Dundee Police share holiday cheer with children
