WEST MICHIGAN- This holiday season, law enforcement agencies across West Michigan are finding ways to give back to the communities they serve.
Tuesday, the men and women from the Portage Department of Public Safety took needy kids on a Christmas shopping spree.
The kids shopped at the Meijer on Shaver Road in Portage with members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and area law enforcement. They were selected through the Portage Community Center and the money for shopping was provided by Meijer.
Life EMS also supplied food baskets to each family.
Wednesday in Ottawa County, several children will be heading to Walmart in Grand Haven for their sixth annual ‘Shop with a Sheriff’ benefit.
“We work with Grand Haven Public Schools and we assist them with youth that are considered in the homeless category or just in need. We`ve also had people call in and actually make requests because they heard about the program because it’s been going on for so many years,” Capt. Valerie Weiss of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said.
And it’s time to ‘Stuff the Blue Goose for Christmas’ with the Michigan State Police.
Each year troopers from around West Michigan hope to stuff a patrol car full of new toys, clothes and non-perishable foods, with your help.
On Dec. 14 troopers will be stationed at two Walmart stores in Grand Haven and Wyoming from 12 to 6 p.m.
All of the items gathered are donated to Salvation Army and given to families in need in Kent and Ottawa counties.
