December 8, 2007

Everyday, the Charlottesville Police Department is charged with protecting our community. Saturday, some of those officers took out the charge card to take several children in our area shopping.

Shop with a Cop is an annual event. Officers team up with kids and go Christmas shopping.

Long term, the goal is to build relationships in the community, but it's also about having fun with the kids, to make their holiday a little happier.

Officer Joe Brown partnered with Tyejah Hawkins.

"It's all about building positive relationships...we had a good time today she picked out a lot of toys it's just a fun time we look forward to it every year," Brown says.

Armed with a $150 budget, the duo did some serious shopping. Tyejah is one of 11 kids who paired up.

The annual Shop with a Cop is paid for by the Cops and Kids Fund.

Reverend Edward Hopkins, Charlottesville Police Chaplin says, "most of these children have been identified as, perhaps not going to have much of a Christmas, so this is an opportunity for police officers to show that they care, show the human side of who they are and reach out and make connections with children in the community."

They hope to keep that relationship going for years.

This is the second year Tyejah and Joe have hit the stores together, and he hopes it's not their last.

"You better believe it's fun and it's all about building long term relationships particularly with the kids in the community you can't ask for a better future when you focus on building that relationship," Brown says.

Donations to the Cops and Kids Fund are tax deductible.

Cops and Kids Fun
P.O. Box 1032
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

You can contact Officer Dwayne Jones with any questions.