While walking through a sea of blue, I can honestly say I’ve never felt so safe. There were quite a few police officers in attendance. Waking up before the sun isn’t always at the top of my to-do list, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Shop With a Cop was probably one of the most humbling experiences I’ve had in my 17 years of life.

Christmas music was blaring through the speakers in Meijer as we were told by employees to go all the way to the back of the store. We were then greeted by Santa, or at least a police officer in disguise. After taking very awkward pictures with the so called “Santa,” I had a brief conversation with the brains behind the whole operation, a police officer named Zeke. I had made sure that covering the story would not be an issue beforehand, but it’s always best to double check. I was told that the police officers really enjoy doing things that revolve around SHS. So, I was able to take pictures and talk to pretty much anyone I wanted.

At the event every police officer is assigned a child. Then, the officer escorts the young girl or boy throughout the store while helping to pick out clothes, toys, electronics and pretty much anything else the kids would want. Seeing a kid gravitate towards the items that were on sale, even though they each had $250 to spend on whatever their little hearts desired really made me think. I thought about how lucky and blessed I am. They most likely selected the items that were on sale because that is how they’re being raised.

Although I was very much still asleep during this experience because I had to wake up at 5:15 in the morning, the experience was overall, very humbling and fun. I hope more than anything that the kids utilize all the things they received.