Lombard Police, LCPAAA plan annual 'Shop With A Cop'

“Shop With A Cop” pairs Lombard police officers, Lombard Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association members and children from the community who could use a little extra help.

Most participants would argue that the highlight of the entire day is the caravan of police squad cars from village hall to Target. To see it is spectacular but to be a part of it is even better.

“The caravan is exciting to the children,” said Sgt. William “Bud” Marks, advisor to the Lombard Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (LCPAAA) who organizes and sponsors the annual event. “But the meaning behind the whole idea is giving,” he added.

This year, the children were selected a little differently, according to Marks. “We reached out to Lombard elementary schools this year,” he said, “and selected one child from each school. The criteria we used included need, but also the character of the children,” Marks added.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the trio groups will caravan from Village Hall (after the kids are picked up at home in a squad car—another memorable moment) to Target, where the groups will shop for other members of their families.

Each child will select gifts for his or her family and through donations and monies raised by the LCPAAA, the gifts will be purchased. The groups then return to Village Hall where LCPAAA elves will wrap the gifts while a special visitor will entertain the children, who are treated to lunch. When all is said and done, the children will be driven home via police escort with gifts, home-made Christmas cookies and coupons for various holiday items.

"It's a very successful program and I am grateful for all of the officers who volunteer to shop with the children, as well as the countless hours the LCPAAA put into making this event special,” Marks added.