LARGO, Fla. — The Largo Police Department is feeling the holiday spirit.
- Largo Police's Shop-With-A-Cop
- Officers select Xmas presents for area children
- Kids from 22 families were matched up with officers for a shopping spree
This year, as with previous holidays, officers are spending thousands of dollars to make sure area kids have a nice Christmas.
The Largo Police Department especially feeling the holiday spirit this year.
“Everyone really enjoys it, it’s one of the highlights of the year for us,” said Lt. Scott Gore.
Children of 22 local families had the chance today to match up with a first responder and go shopping together through Walmart, and each given $150 to spend any way they chose.
The idea is to offer an unforgettable Christmas to kids who may not otherwise have received any gifts.
“Christmas can be a fun time, a lot of time with family. But it can also be stressful. So we want to help alleviate that stress,” said Lt. Gore.
But the kids weren’t the only ones receiving today.
For the first responders, the best gift of all came from seeing the smiles on the kids faces.
“This is an opportunity for us to get out, to get some one-on-one time with the families. We walk, talk, hear about what’s going on with them. And it just gives us a nice chance to kind of be out in more of that personal time with the community rather than just going out to handle calls for service,” said Lt. Gore.
Over the last 14 years, it has given $90,000 worth of toys and other items to more than 600 local children.