Brantford Police Service held their inaugural Shop with a Cop event on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
The inaugural event paired ten local children, between the ages of nine and 13 with a Brantford police officer who became their personal shopper for the day.
The children received a $200 Visa card to purchase gifts for their family. The gift cards were graciously donated by private sponsors and local businesses.
BPS Interim Chief Jason Saunders welcomed participants and officers who volunteered to participate in the event as they sat down for a complimentary breakfast provided by the Brantford Police Association.
Constable Joanne Sevier, who organized the event, thanked all members for volunteering in this year’s Shop with a Cop before sending them off with their partners to start their shopping adventure.
Volunteers worked behind the scenes to wrap gifts for the children and kept the event running smoothly.
Following the morning of shopping, the children received a stocking full of treats for themselves, photos with Santa, and enjoyed a lunch with the officers.
The children participating in Shop with a Cop were selected from recommendations made by their school, based on a wide variety of factors including need, recognition of specific academic or sports achievement, or because of volunteer efforts that are making a difference in the community. The children who were selected are recognized for being positive, kind role models within their schools.
