Lombard police host 20th annual Shop With A Cop Dec. 1

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Lombard Police Department and the Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will host its 20th annual Shop with a Cop event.

The purpose of Shop with a Cop is to help bring Christmas gifts and joy to less fortunate children and their families who live in the community, while fostering positive relationships with law enforcement.

Lombard police officers picked up the children from their homes and bring them to Lombard Village Hall, where they are escorted in a convoy of squad cars to go shopping at the Yorktown Target store.

The children go shopping for gifts for their parents and family, with help from Lombard police officers.

Other volunteers also shop for gifts for the children so that they have presents under their Christmas tree.

All the shoppers then return to village hall where they will be greeted by Thor the Lombard police canine, as well as Santa Claus.

Volunteers with the Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association help wrap the gifts and host a lunch.

At the end of the event, the children are driven home in squad cars filled with gifts, trays of cookies, gift baskets, and a coupon for a free Christmas tree donated by the Tri-Town YMCA.

This event is made possible by fundraising efforts of the Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Lombard FOP #270, and donations from local businesses and individuals.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to this year's Shop With A Cop, can do so by dropping the donation off at the Lombard Police station, or mailing it to the Lombard Police Department at 235 E. Wilson Ave, Lombard, IL, 60148; to the attention of Sgt. Sherie Eakins.

Shopping takes place at the Yorktown Target Store, 60 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

The event concludes at the Village hall around noon.