"Shop with a Cop" asks for help serving hundreds of Massachusetts children ahead of holidays
FRAMINGHAM - With less than two months to go before the holiday season, the organizers of "Shop with a Cop" in Massachusetts are looking for donations to support hundreds of children in need.
More applications expected
The annual event pairs Metro West children in financial need with a police officer for a holiday shopping spree. It involves roughly 100 police officers from across the state, as well as appearances from Santa and the Grinch.
Framingham Police Officer Matt Gutwill, who leads the event, said 800 applications are expected this year, with roughly 500 children who will be identified as in need. Right now the event, which is funded by donations to the Framingham Police Association, only has enough money to provide for 125 children.
Gutwill said other charitable organizations have reached out to "Shop with a Cop" to fill in funding gaps during the busy holiday season.
Positive impact on kids and police
The event has run for seven years and has served more than 2,000 children in Metro West, providing them with about $155,000 in gifts, clothing and food. Gutwill said it has a positive impact on children and officers.
"As a police officer, I go to a lot of different calls and I see a lot of different things that are heartbreaking or devastating to us," said Gutwill. "Seeing a child's face and how rewarding it is to us to build a relationship with a child that will last for years...that's huge for us."