“Sixty-four smiling children and fifty smiling cops” is how Lady Lake Police Chief Chris McKinstry described the North Lake Santa’s Shop with a Cop event held Saturday morning at Target.
Smiles certainly were everywhere as the children checked out at the register. The event paired up children with a Lady Lake, Fruitland Park or Leesburg police officer and they shopped together with a $100 to spend.
The children, a little subdued at first soon, got the hang of it and it was quite a sight to see so many officers pushing red carts mostly in the toy department.
Thirteen-year-old Tineal Carmidd skipped the toy aisle at first and shopped for other members of his family. After selecting a gift for his mother, grandmother, brother and cousin his shopping partner Leesburg officer Sgt. Allen Carter reminded him to save some of his money to buy something for himself. “He is definitely in the Christmas spirit,” said Carter.
The Jasso family, Perla,13, Andrea ,9, and Daniella and Diana,6, were happy to be a part of the event.
“I really do like it. It is a nice way to shop,” said Andrea. She especially liked the Kiwanis connection because she is a K-Kid, a partnership between schools and Kiwanis.
“We do food drives and collect glasses. It is fun and also helps others,” she said. Her six-year-old twin sisters pooled their money and bought a huge Barbie house that will be taller than they are when put together. Andrea opted to buy clothes and shoes and oldest sister Perla purchased “Star Wars” movies.
This is the first year for this event. McKinstry, Leesburg Chief Rob Hicks and Fruitland Park Chief Michael Fewless discussed the fact that there was not a program for children in the north part of Lake County and they decided to remedy this fact. McKinstry reached out to the Kiwanis Club of Lady Lake and they sponsored all the Lady Lake children. The children were selected based on need by their school guidance counselors. Target threw in a 10 percent discount and Home Depot gave each child a build-it gift.
The Kiwanis Club of Lady Lake was out in full support.
“When it is kids we’re here,” said club member Glendia Brown. Another club member Deb Tinsley agreed. “We love the hands on aspect of this event.”
