Bloomington Police Department to participate in annual holiday charity event

 Image courtesy of the Aurora Police Department

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – As December approaches, Bloomington officers are getting set to give back to the community by hosting their annual Shop with a Hero event on Dec 12. 

Formerly known as “Shop with a Cop,” the nationwide program serves low-income families during the holiday season. In partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), children are selected by their schools and paired with a police officer to shop for presents. The officers assist the children in selecting and purchasing gifts, which are then wrapped for them.

“We have officers from the Bloomington Police Department, the Bloomington Fire Department, and sometimes ISU Police and Illinois State Police join us as well,” Bloomington Police Officer Bryce Janssen said. “Walmart decorates the store beautifully, and they bring in a Santa. It’s a great time.”

The department will also have an officer dressed in a blue Santa costume ring a bell for the Salvation Army in downtown Bloomington.

For more information about Shop With a Hero, visit https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/police.