Fox Lake police take kids on shopping spree
Police and village officials in Fox Lake on Wednesday helped give about 160 children a gift they'll likely never forget.
The children, from Fox Lake and Ingleside, were treated to a $100 shopping spree at the Antioch Wal-Mart as part of the second annual Fox Lake Police Department Shop with a Cop program.
The event was started last year by Fox Lake Police Chief Mike Behan, who said this was his favorite community outreach program.
"This does two things: It gives back to the community and brings a sense of the holidays to a large amount of underprivileged children," he said. "On top of that, these kids are able to meet a police officer when they are children, as opposed to when they grow up. Children remember that."
The Shop with a Cop program was funded by a golf outing held over the summer that raised more than $19,000. Dockers Duffers and Dockers Restaurant in Fox Lake held the event specifically for the program.
Behan said parents were invited to shop for gifts with their children and that clothes, hats, gloves, scarves, coats, shoes and other amenities needed to keep children warm this winter were high on the list of items to be purchased.
However, children in the program also were able to pick out a toy for themselves.
"I think this is just a great program," said parent Katie Helmer. "I don't know who is more excited about it, me or the kids. But, truly, this is just something wonderful for us."
The group gathered first at the police station, 303 S. Route 59, for pizza and drinks. Then they headed to Wal-Mart on Route 173 for the shopping spree.
Each child was escorted through the store by a police officer or volunteer, who pushed the cart, calculator in hand and added up the purchases.
About 20 officers volunteered to push carts and other village officials were brought in to help children pick out their items. Due to the high number of children taking part in the event, village officials were invited to help walk children around.
"This is always one of my favorite programs of the year," said Trustee Ed Bender, who is in charge of the village board's public safety committee. "I like to see the police department in a positive light like this and there is nothing more positive than this, especially around the holidays."
Police departments around Lake County have annually pitched in through the Shop with a Cop program to help out underprivileged families during the holidays. Antioch police will host their fourth annual Shop with a Cop on Dec. 12 at the same Wal-Mart Super Center.
While parents delighted throughout the evening at the new boots and the coats children received, children were most excited about the toys.
"I want to get a bunch of things," said 4-year-old Taylor Patricia Goebel of Fox Lake. "But I really want Dora the Explorer. That's my favorite."