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Cops, Meijer Partner for “Shop with a Hero”

Posted at 1:35 PM, Dec 18, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-18 22:39:39-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- It is not their usual beat, but some Grand Rapids police officers went on a very special call, Tuesday. They accompanied some elementary and high school students on a special shopping trip.

The event, called Shop with a Hero, is organized by GRPD and Meijer. It gave students a chance to enjoy a brighter holiday.

Ten students, between the ages of eight and 14 years old, were chosen from East Leonard and Coit Elementary Schools, as well as Union High School.

Armed with $100 Meijer gift cards, students and cops roamed the aisles in search of the perfect Christmas presents. A few of the children chose to buy gifts for their families, instead.

After spending time with the officers, the students said they saw a new side to the men and women in blue.

“They’re nice,” said student, Elisia Piarre. “I want to be a police officer.”

“It melts your heart.” said officer and event organizer, Neil Gomez. “It was nice to have a family-oriented police officer interaction.”

The event is much like the more common Shop with a Cop. Officers said this is the first time they partnered with Meijer.