Children "Shop with a Cop"

Local law enforcement officers along with their family and friends converged on the Freeport Farm & Fleet Dec. 10 to help brighten Christmas for 33 children from the Forrestville Valley School District.

"This event, better known as the annual Shop With a Cop was very fulfilling for both the children involved and the officers that participated and only made possible by the generous supporters in the Forreston area," said Forreston Police Chief Mike Boomgarden.

Each child is assisted in shopping for some winter essentials such as boots, gloves, socks, coats, etc and after that task is completed, then they are allowed to find some "fun" items in the toy and sporting goods aisles.

The number of children participating has grown each year from about 12 the first year to this year's record number of 33.

With the addition of more children the number of "cops" also had to increase.

This year the "cops" included officers from Forreston, German Valley, Ridott/Dakota, Illinois State Police, Ogle County Sheriff's Department and Stephenson County Sheriff's Reserve Unit.

These officers were assisted by their families and friends.

The event was also made more memorable by Dave Washburn (a retired police officer) of Captured Memories Photography who took photos during the entire event and donated the images to the police departments involved.

"The management and staff at Farm and Fleet play a very integral part of the festivities because they dedicate staff just to assist with locating the items most sought after and also help with getting the purchases checked out expeditiously by providing an exclusive checkout lane, cashier, and bagger," Boomgarden said. "Manager, Greg Genandt, a Forreston graduate himself, makes sure the shopping experience is a great one.

"Each year additional officers have been sought to assist with the shopping and once an officer assists, they always want to help the next year. The fun and excitement and some very emotional moments make the event ever so special."