Willow Springs police officers take students from local schools on their annual Christmas shopping spree at the Walmart store in Hodgkins. (Supplied photos)
Willow Springs police take kids on shopping spree for Christmas
By Carol McGowan
The Willow Springs Police Department, in partnership with Walmart and other sponsors, held their annual Shop-With-A-Cop event last Saturday at the Walmart store in Hodgkins.
This was the fourth year for their event, which they started to bring Christmas joy and spirit to many special children and their families who may need a little more assistance than others this Christmas season.
Willow Springs Police Chief Jim Ritz was happy to have another local department along with them.
“This year, some members of the Hickory Hills Police Department joined us as they wanted to see how we did our Shop With A Cop event and they loved it. We’ll partner with them for next year.”
The morning of December 11 started with everyone gathering at 9 a.m. in the store’s garden center, then they ventured out into the store for a couple of hours of fun.
They picked out toys, clothing, school supplies, and bikes to have under their tree on Christmas morning.
The grade schoolers attend either Pleasantdale, Willow Springs, or Trinity Lutheran schools.
Ritz and the Willow Springs Police Department would like to thank everyone that made this year’s event a success for the children and their families.
Ritz also expressed gratitude to the store’s employees.
“The Hodgkins Walmart staff, as always, were truly outstanding in how they assisted up this year, and every year.”
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