December 7, 2011 - Houston police officers and volunteers today joined about 20 children affiliated with Harris County Children’s Protective Services in a holiday shopping spree at a Houston Target store.

Photos of the event are attached to this news release.

The “Shop with a Cop” event paired every child with an officer, who helped that child pick out items on their holiday wish-list using a $100 gift card donated by Target Stores.  The children, all pre-selected by CPS, ranged in age from 5 to 15.

“The guardians bring their children and we partner them with an HPD officer,” said Target’s Jay Garcia.  “We then run them out there with a gift card and let them have a good time and buy whatever they want,” he added.

Kraven Martinez, 7, said it was exciting and fun to shop with the officers.  He particularly liked getting the items on his list.  “Legos, a mask, toys, some people, stuff like that,” Kraven said.

For the HPD officers, it was a rewarding experience.

“My CPS child was 5 years old,” said HPD Officer Ted Wang.  “He came to the store with his wish-list and a bike was number one.  So, we went around the store and found the bike he was looking for and, of course, we needed a helmet to go with it.  Since we had a little money left, we picked out a few WrestleMania playing cards,” Officer Wang added.

“I have a 5-year-old child myself,” said Officer Wang.  “Today was a lot of fun, almost like shopping with my own kid.  It’s very rewarding to see the happiness on their faces,” he added.