Lakewood police bring Christmas to families in need

Lakewood police bring Christmas to families in need
by John Flick
December 18th, 2010

Photos; Photos; http://lakewood.komonews.com/content/shopping-cops-walmart

Lakewood police officers swarmed a local Wal-Mart on Saturday to help those in need.

It was a holiday surprise that allowed children to play Santa for their families.

And it was a special assignment for Lakewood police officers - not transporting suspects, but kids.

"He came up to my house, and I was surprised," said one.

The children were chosen by the Lakewood officers' charity, which raised money for the event. Wal-Mart matched the donations made by the charity.

The youngsters' smiles tell the story.

Sixteen-year-old Crystal Paige was shopping for a brother, two sisters and a mom who'd been sick, off work - and couldn't afford presents.

"Kind of saves the money for other things - bills and stuff - instead of trying to buy presents," she says. "It helps a lot."

Crystal and 11 other young people got to spend $50 at Wal-Mart for each family member.

There were toys and games for siblings - but the kids also kept their parents in mind.

"They decided to get a microwave for their mother," Sgt. Mark Eakes said of the children he accompanied.

Two sisters put a microwave in one basket and a space heater in another. The family recently lost heat to their home.

"It's a reminder that we're all in this together," said Sgt. Andy Gildehaus.

Gildehaus said it's also a tribute to the four officers killed last year. It was the first time for this Lakewood "Shop with a Cop" event - and it turned into a well-run operation.

Once the kids have picked out what they want, they get checked out then take their gifts to a table for wrapping so that everything the kids picked out is a surprise to their families.

Crystal's mom and family - and all the others - were overjoyed that a Christmas complete with Santa just got a whole lot brighter.

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Source;

http://bit.ly/shopcop
http://lakewood.komonews.com/content/lakewood-police-bring-christmas-families-need?tab=video


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