By Madhu Mayer
While the City of Joliet already had its police officers’ shop for gifts, the Village of Plainfield is also stepping up to help those who need presents under the Christmas tree this holiday season.
The Plainfield Village Board Monday authorized buying 40 Target gift cards for the Shop with A Cop program. The $12,000 expenditure will allow qualified children in Plainfield Community and Oswego School districts on Thursday, Dec. 22, to shop for gifts with a Plainfield police officer at a local Target store.
“Under this program, the school districts nominate worthy children whose families are struggling financially,” explained Plainfield Police Chief Robert Miller. “The students gain an opportunity to shop with a Plainfield police officer and purchase Christmas presents for their families.”
Plainfield has been partnering with both school districts and Target for the Shop with A Cop program since 2008. The authorization will allow the village to provide students with “much needed holiday cheer,” he added.
Miller told the board that the expense will come out of the department’s charitable funds account through donations and fund-raising activities held throughout the year.
Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk said he was glad to hear a fourth grader from Joliet who needed an Ipad get his Christmas wish on Dec. 3rd during the Joliet Police Department Shop with A Cop program. This year marked the 33rd annual shopping event at Wal-Mart.
“I thank everyone on the (Joliet Police Department) for putting their own resources to make it happen,” he said.
Alejandro Ramos, whose son attends Plainfield South High School, said the gift will benefit their financially strapped family during these tough times.
“With inflation, all my extra money is going toward gasoline and high food costs,” said Ramos. “I have very little left over for presents. This at least makes me feel good that there will be nice presents under the tree for my children.”
Romeoville and Bolingbrook have yet to indicate if they plan to offer the Shop with A Cop program this holiday season.