DeKalb police’s Heroes and Helpers brings the holidays to 60 children this Christmas

DeKALB – DeKalb children paired up with police officers Sunday for a family-friendly holiday shopping experience at Target as part of the DeKalb Police Department’s annual Heroes and Helpers program.

The police officers were off-duty, volunteering their time to participate in the event, held in partnership with Target in DeKalb.

Erika Brown, whose 8-year-old granddaughter Amiyah Richardson participated in the event, said that her family is very appreciative.

“She loved picking out the toys herself,” Brown said. “It was a very, very nice thing for the police officers to do.”

Heroes and Helpers, formerly called Shop with a Cop, pairs police officers with at-risk or low-income children in DeKalb to bring holiday cheer to those in need. Most children were recommended for the program by DeKalb School District 428. The children go shopping one-on-one with an officer, picking out gifts for themselves and their loved ones for the holidays.

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Danielle Sorenson, a school resource officer with the DeKalb Police Department, helps 8-year-old Amiyah Richardson choose a Barbie doll during the Heroes and Helpers event, held Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 at the Target store in DeKalb. (Katrina Milton)

This year, about 60 children ages 6 to 16 received $100 each in gifts. McDonald’s also donated a $25 gift card for each family. The money for the program was raised throughout the year through community donations.

“It’s important for children to have positive interactions with police officers, and it’s a way for us to contribute to the community,” Deputy Chief Jason Leverton said. “It shows the community’s spirit during the Christmas season.”

Popular items children chose included Barbie dolls, scooters, Robolox and Pokémon toys.

“[The program was] extremely meaningful because of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and the fact that families have a lot of other expenses,” Leverton said.

Police Cmdr. Chad McNett said that children often choose to use their $100 to purchase items to give to their siblings, parents and friends.

“Most people only interact with a cop when something bad is happening,” McNett said. “This is an extension of our duty and what we do as police officers when we’re on-duty. … We want to foster more good relationships and positive interactions with the community. It’s why we dedicate our time and resources to this great event.”

Danielle Sorenson, a school resource officer, said she wanted to participate in the event because she has two children of her own.

“I love seeing how excited the kids get about their gifts,” Sorenson said. “It’s such a fun event. We get to spread Christmas spirit.”

Jennifer Flores, the Target store’s general merchandise team lead, said that Target hosts the event to be able to be a part of the DeKalb community.

“By partnering with the police department, we’re supporting the community,” Flores said. “It’s one small way we can do our part to make the community a better place.”

Chiquita Hampton said the $100 worth of gifts her 8-year-old son Zarain Frills chose will make him happy this Christmas season.

“It’s going to save me some money, and he was able to get some gifts we might not have been able to get otherwise,” Hampton said. “What really touched my heart was that the police officers walked around the store with the children, pushing shopping carts. They took the time out of their day off to do this. It was great, such a positive experience.”