A couple of dozen Gainesville police officers converged on Walmart on Shallowford Road Friday afternoon - not because there was any criminal activity going on, though.
The officers were helping 16 Gainesville school children do some Christmas shopping during their 15th Annual 'Shop with a Gainesville Cop' event.
Master Police Officer Griggs Wall was one of the organizers of the event this year, but in the past he was one of the officers who helped the kids shop.
"Well, to me, this is the season that you give - it's not about yourself - it's about giving to others," Wall said. "I've done this for a good number of years and I look forward to it every year."
Wall is also a School Resource Officer in the Gainesville City School System, and he said he and other officers who patrol some of the lower income neighborhoods see the families who struggle to afford the basics, much less buy Christmas gifts. Those officers work with school counselors to select children to participate in 'Shop with a Gainesville Cop.'
Each child who participates receives a $200 gift card from Walmart, and the child can buy whatever he or she wants.
Wall said the participants were selected from the elementary schools as well at the middle school and high school in the city.
Pilgrim's Pride provides what the Gainesville Police Department called a "substantial cash donation" to fund the annual event.
XBox games were a popular choice for several of the students who participated in the Shop with a Gainesville Cop event.
This cart was loaded down with toys selected by two of the students who participated in the annual event.
Officer N. Ramirez helps Jaurice (left) and his brother Jaqualon (center) shop for Christmas gifts on Friday afternoon.
After the children make their selections, they and the officers who helped them shop, check out at Walmart on Shallowford Road.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/12/617012/shop-with-a-cop-gainesville-officers-accompany-students-on-annual-shopping-spree