Homeless Long Island kids get a holiday chance to "shop with a cop"
HEWLETT, N.Y. - It's the Season of Giving, and Nassau County officials gave back in a big way Friday on Long Island.
Homeless children were taken on a shopping spree.
Friday on Long Island, a yearly holiday tradition took place, putting smiles on the faces of the kids who need them most.
"I am honored to be able to do this for children. There's no better day than today," Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin said.
"It's just really cool. It's rewarding. It's gratifying to see the smiles on these kids' faces," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
One hundred children living in local homeless shelters were given $110 gift cards at Matty's Toy Shop in Hewlett. Nassau County Police and the PBA raise the money together each year, so they and the kids can shop together.
"Oh my God. This is the best day ever," one child said.
For some, the joy that comes from securing the toy they covet most, while keeping the Season of Giving in mind themselves, too.
"I just want to make my family happy. So now what I'm going to do is pick a toy for my little cousin," one child said.
The generosity, and the smiles that come with it. For 100 kids on Friday, the Five Towns became the North Pole.