Christmas came early for dozens of children in Halifax on Wednesday, as the 12th annual CopShop took place.
The event pairs local kids with Halifax Regional Police officers to enjoy a pre-holiday shopping spree.
“I think it’s so important for these kids because they’re deserving children in our community,” said Sherri Kelsie, retail manager of the Halifax Shopping Centre.
“Sometimes they have a bit of hardship but they’re well deserving kids and working with police officers is a great day for them.”
This year, there were 52 children taking part in the event. Each one received a $200 gift card from the mall and were able to pick out whatever items they wanted, with police officers acting as their personal shoppers for the day.
The event started off with a pizza party and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais said CopShop is one of his favorite days of the year.
“Unlike when people talk about community policing, this is more social interaction with people, so that people understand, especially children understand that policing is not just the repressive side of work, rather it’s the community building,” Blais told Global News.
For Bella Farmpton Meyer, her first time taking part in CopShop was a special one.
“I’ve never gotten to spend $200 on anything I want, in a mall, with police officers before,” she said.
The eight-year-old’s first stop was the hair salon – where she had some festive colour and sparkles added to her hair. Then, it was off to explore the mall.
“I’m probably going to go to Claire’s and stuff and buy a whole bunch of stuff and I’m probably going to buy a whole bunch of candies and accessories and sparkly stuff,” said Farompton Meyer.
This year, each of the participants also got a $10 gift certificate from the shopping centre to purchase an item for another child in need and ‘pay it forward.’
“We thought it would be nice for these children who are getting so much today, also for them to pick out a nice gift or a toy for another deserving child in the Salvation Army Toy Drive,” Kelsie said.
CopShop started in Halifax but now takes place at malls across the country.