Hoffman Estates 'Shop with a Cop' returns Dec. 13

The Hoffman Estates Police Charitable Foundation will be sponsoring its 15th annual "Shop with a Cop" holiday event Dec. 13.

The foundation is a not-for-profit organization made up of sworn officers from the Hoffman Estates Police Department who are committed to giving back to disadvantaged families in the village.

The community can support this cause by dropping letters to Santa in special mailboxes posted at Carter's, Michael's, Target, PetSmart and Sports Authority in the Poplar-Prairie Stone Crossing shopping center at routes 59 and 90. Through Dec. 12, for every letter collected, $1 will be donated to the Shop with a Cop program.

This week, a search for Buddy the Elf will kick off at the shopping center. Residents can track the elf's location on the Village of Hoffman Estates Facebook and Twitter pages using #ShopHE, #ShopHoffmanEstates and #Wheresbuddy. Starting Dec. 12, followers will have a chance to win gift cards at local retailers if they guess which store the elf is at.

Donations can be sent to HEPCF, P.O. Box 9511, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-0611. For more information, call (847) 781-2807.