Annual Shop-with-a-Cop event features holiday shopping spree

by Dan Holland

The annual Shop with a Cop event – a joint venture held each December between the Broadview Heights and Seven Hills Police Departments – took place on Dec. 14.

The event, sponsored by Meijer, located at 7701 Broadview Rd. in Seven Hills, provides an opportunity for 20 shoppers from the Brecksville-Broadview Heights and Parma School Districts to embark on a $200 shopping spree at Meijer, with assistance from the police and a number of volunteers. Meijer contributed $4,000 to this year’s event.

“We team up every year with the Seven Hills Police Department and the Broadview Heights Police Department, and they are hosting 20 kids this year, which is up from 15 or so last year,” explained Store Director Justin Walker. “Meijer has been able to donate more money this year to help more kids. The kids come and go around with the officers and their shopping carts, and then we ring them out. It’s a lot of fun.”

The event features a breakfast hosted at the Seven Hills Police Department prior to the shopping spree. Additional breakfast items are made available in a room set aside at Meijer. A number of volunteers come to the station afterwards to wrap the gifts for families to place under their Christmas tree, explained Lt. Don Polick of the Broadview Heights Police Department.

“Meijer has jumped on board in the last few years, and they have been a huge help, and our volunteers have been a huge help,” said Polick. “We not only have officers here today, but we have teachers from the schools, we have our spouses, and a lot of people brought their kids.”

Kids chosen for the program will often pick out items for themselves and their family members, explained Assistant Store Director Kyle Collins, who brought his 2-year-old son Carter along for the event.

“Some of the kids go through the toys area first; others will pick out clothes for themselves and their families, getting some winter outfits,” said Collins. “But it is a true kid shopping spree; whatever that kid wants, they can get it today.”

“It’s really a great thing – you get to help some kids, and it’s nice for us to be able to interact with them one-on-one,” said Broadview Heights Police Chief Steven Raiff. “Some of these kids are in a tight spot, and Meijer is a great store in the way they help us out every year. This year, each child gets a $200 shopping spree. That’s why we’re involved; it allows us to connect with the kids and do something nice for the community during the holiday season.”

Broadview Heights Officer Jose Garcia, who has served as a School Resource Officer for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District for the last 17 years, assisted brothers Angel and Christian during their shopping spree.

“We get the opportunity to help some families out and make someone’s Christmas that may be down and out,” said Garcia. “There are a lot of different reasons for the program in why they pick and choose kids who may have suffered a loss, or have been through a rough time. At other times, it’s just to fulfill a need; to help somebody out. It’s our way of being involved and giving back to the community.”

“Meijer has been so awesome; we wouldn’t be able to do this program without the generosity that they’ve shown us,” he added. “It’s great to be in the schools, and there are families that need some help, and we are able to do that during this time. We get a lot of volunteers for this program; many are staff and teachers at the school who really care about their kids and are willing to give up their time on a Saturday and come help us with the kids. It’s really a blessing to be able to do this.”“It’s a great way for us to give back to the community,” added Collins. “We like to help out families in need, and with this program, you get to see some of the kids directly as they come in and pick out their toys and gifts in the moment, which is something that’s really nice about the program.” 

photo caption: Broadview Heights Police Officer Jose Garcia assists brothers Angel and Christian with their holiday shopping. Photos by Dan Holland