MENTOR-ON-THE-LAKE, Ohio — Mentor-on-the-Lake police made spirits bright Sunday night with a “shop with a cop” event for some children in need.
A parade of police cruisers took off from the town’s municipal complex Sunday night, taking children to a shopping spree at the local Target.
"This is one of my favorite Christmas events to do every year and I’m super glad they invite me,” said Gabby, one young shopper.
Inside, police officers in Santa hats took two dozen kids through the store, helping them pick out $175 worth of gifts.
“You know what's great about it though, these kids come knowing they're going to get money to spend on themselves for Christmas, but they come and buy stuff for their mom, their dad, their sisters — they want to give back,” said Tina Messinger with Mentor-on-the-Lake police.
This is the department’s fourth Shop with a Cop event. Organizers said it would not have been possible without generous donations from the community and Target.
