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Bellevue Children Enjoy "Shop with a Cop"

Fifty under-privileged children from Bellevue will hopefully have a brighter Christmas this year because of BPD’s "Shop with a Cop" program. From Dec 2nd through the 4th, kids and cops are shopping together at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Bellevue with a $100 each to spend, half on clothes and half on whatever they want.

This is the second year for the Shop with a Cop program in Bellevue. Last year, 25 kids participated. Sgt Larry Lampman said they were able to expand the program to include twice as many children, with twice the spending limit this year, because of the incredible support from Wal-Mart and from private donations. He added "we had citizens dropping off extremely generous checks in our lobby and equally charitable giving from city employees."

Chris Shotton, the Wal-Mart store manager said that in addition to the store donating money, some of what they donated came from store associates purchasing bottled water that they couldn’t put on the shelves due to damage. While Wal-Mart regularly gives to community groups, he said, "this is probably one of the best things we do all year". Fourteen Bellevue officers are donating their time to help with the shopping.

Photo: Officer Grubb helps with a high reach.