30 kids will be have opportunity to shop with cops.

December 9, 2014

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. 

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Thirty children will have a little extra help with their Christmas shopping on Monday when they Shop with a Cop. The popular program has been lapse for a couple of years but is being revived this year by Ludington Police Officer Tony Kuster.

“We are hoping to help out some children who may normally have the opportunity to buy gifts for their family,” Kuster said. Ten children have been selected from each of the county school districts, they each will receive $100 gift cards from Wal-Mart. They will be accompanied by a police officer from Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Ludington Police Department, Scottville Police Department or Michigan State Police, who will be volunteering their time.

“They can buy whatever they want,” Kuster said. “The officer will help them out. We are hoping that this presents them with a positive experience with law enforcement.”

The gifts purchased will be wrapped for free by volunteers from the Ludington High School junior varsity and varsity girls basketball teams and members of the National Honor Society. The children will also receive a free piece of pizza and beverage from the Subway located inside Wal-Mart.

Funds for the program come from United Way of Mason County and the Pennies from Heaven Foundation.

Shopping begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15.