Austin’s holiday season is a little brighter this year for more than 100 children, thanks to the annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event. This cherished tradition took place on Friday morning, bringing joy and excitement to young participants as they filled their bags with gifts.
The ‘Shop with a Cop’ initiative began in 2006 when a small group of police officers from Amigos en Azul decided to take a few children shopping during the holiday season. Over the years, it has grown significantly, and this year, it supported children from 10 elementary schools, one middle school, and participants from the APD Police Activities League program.
Vanessa Jimenez, President of Amigos en Azul, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This is the most exciting event for me. This is the one that gets my heart going; it motivates me. This is my favorite event of the year.”
During the event, 110 students were paired with an officer and each received approximately $150 to spend at Target, allowing them to choose gifts for themselves or their family members. Jimenez emphasized the importance of this initiative, explaining, “It shows them that we’re here for them in a time of need, and during a holiday we want to have for ourselves; we give it back to them.”
Another group of 110 children will have the opportunity to shop on Monday, December 15. The success of this annual event is made possible through generous donations to Amigos en Azul, which help ensure that the spirit of giving continues to thrive in the community.
If you would like to contribute to this heartwarming cause, donations can be made to Amigos en Azul.
