On December 21, 18 children got an early taste of Christmas thanks to officers and command staff of the Ypsilanti Police Department. Joining them in the annual Shop with a Cop program were deputies and command staff from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department and a State Police trooper. YPD Volunteer Service Corp members and two Sheriff's department civilians rounded out the team.
Shop with a Cop provides donated funds so that deserving underprivileged Washtenaw County children — ages 6-12 — can shop for Christmas gifts for their family and themselves.
Everyone gathered at the Estabrook School, where the kids met their shopping buddies — one child per officer. Then it was off to the Ellsworth Road Wal-Mart on a bus donated by the Ann Arbor Transit Authority (AATA).
At the store, the search was on for gifts based on each child's wish list.
Back at Estabrook, the tired and hungry but happy shoppers began wrapping presents in between bites of pizza. Santa Claus even showed up to complete the festivities.
View all the pictures.