Shop with a Cop

Detective Steve Hughes gathered a group of kids around him at the entrance to Target last week.

“What are we going to get?” he asked.

We don’t know, the kids answered. Toys maybe.

Hughes, with the Columbia Falls Police Department, laughed. Toys, he told them, and whatever they wanted.

Maybe the kids were a bit unsure of what they might purchase. But Hughes and fellow officer Douglas Wells, along with a few other helpers, knew just what to do.

Which is exactly the officers’ mission for the evening to make sure these kids learn how to Shop with a Cop.

It’s an annual event put on by the Police Department Association. Members of the association hold various fundraisers to help those in need. Money is used throughout the year for worthy causes, but come December it’s all about taking a few lucky kids shopping.

Shop with a Cop is in its estimated ninth year. No one’s really certain how long it has been happening because it’s just a given each year, explained Hughes.

This year officers took four children shopping: Heaven and Rickey Putnam, and Tyler and Justin Wilson. Each child was given $125 to spend on basically whatever they might wanted. Both families also received a $125 gift card to Super 1 Foods.

Hughes said that sometimes parents say a kid needs boots or a coat, and so officers always try to make sure that is purchased as well.

“Last year the kids wanted boots and pants. That blew me away. I’m saying, ‘Come on let’s go to the toys,’ and they’re trying on jackets,” he said with a laugh.

Last week Heaven Putnam got some new clothes, including pajamas. She even threw in a gift for her mom.

Tyler Wilson, 5, ran down the toy isles playing with just about every toy his little arms could reach. He said his favorite purchase was a remote control monster truck.

The kids enjoyed the event. And you can be sure the officers did, too.

With the wintery weather only two officers were able to help out.

“We’re spread out today or more would be here. I wish we could have moved it — this is our big event,” said Hughes. “But I said I can’t miss this — there’s no way.”

Besides the Shop with a Cop program, the association has a scholarship and spends association money to help others throughout the year.

The Columbia Falls Police Association fundraiser features the Don Lawrence Orchestra at the Columbia Falls High School Little Theater on Friday, Jan. 9. Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.