Kids 'Shop with a Cop'

MOSES LAKE - Christmas came early for a group of kids Monday for the annual "Shop with a Cop" event at the Moses Lake Walmart.

Grant County deputies and Moses Lake police joined five children from local schools and 10 from the Boys and Girls Club, as well as three deserving families, for a shopping spree Monday night.

Before heading out with the officers, the children were able to take photos with Santa and enjoy some pizza donated by Papa Johns.

Each child, assigned to an officer, was given a $200 gift card from Walmart. While many children flocked to the video games and toys, Lilyanna Ochoa, 10, made her first stop in the clothing section, stocking up on socks and hairbands before picking out some toys for herself and her brother.

Corp. Darrik Gregg, who has helped coordinate the event with Walmart and Store Manager Scott Peterson the past two years, was happy to see some of the children picking out gifts for family members, even treats for family pets.

Peterson said the Walmart Foundation donated $5,000 for the event, and the Weinstein Beverage Co. added another $1,000.

Sheriff Tom Jones said just four kids were included last year, and because of the generous donations this year, they were able to help out more children and families. The three families chosen were devastated by recent incidents, including an arson and burglary.

"It was a phenomenal evening, that's for sure," Jones said. "You had some kids that bought themselves very little and bought their families everything."

Moses Lake police joined the event this year, taking five children from local schools.

"It was a great opportunity for us and we really appreciate Walmart letting us be a part of it," Police Chief Dave Ruffin said. "The interaction we were able to have with the kids and our agency, we thought that was a pretty good deal. We look forward to doing it again in the future."

Both Jones and Ruffin said the officers appreciated the chance to help those in need.

"They loved it. They really did," Ruffin said. "I talked to a majority of the officers and it was a great experience for them."

Walmart employees also pitched in, helping the children wrap presents.

After all the participants finished shopping, deputies also surprised two random families by paying for their groceries and taking their children over to the toy section.

"They thought it would be a great thing to make someone's day that might not normally have that opportunity," Jones said.