Midwest City Police Officers Shop With Oklahoma Kids In Need

You don’t need a trip to the North Pole to see the magic of Christmas. A group of Midwest City police officers-turned-elves were putting smiles on the faces of Oklahoma children.

“Look at this one, mama,” said Cheyenne Murray, as she gushed over a hot pink, frilly dress on the rack.

“Oh, that’s pretty,” said her mother, Kelly Murray.

Murray was selected to participate in the Midwest City Police Department’s annual "Shop with a Cop" program. In its 20th year, the program is designed to spread cheer among some local kids who need it most.

“This is wonderful,” said Murray. “She is running around here having a blast.”

The family met with the officers at the Walmart located at 9011 NE 23 Street in Oklahoma City. Each officer was paired with a family to help them shop.

“I think about the police that they're always helping people,” said Cheyenne.

The police department partners with Walmart to give each child $100 to spend for Christmas.

“I am a single mom that lives paycheck to paycheck so without this opportunity, it would be very scarce,” said Murray.

The officers donate their own time to pair up with a child – sometimes bringing their own children with them to help.

“It's just a great partnership that we have and it's something we can do to assist these children who may not have anything at all for Christmas, so we're very happy to be a part of this program,” said Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes.

From the things that they need like coats and hats to that special toy they want, the children completed their Christmas lists.

“My husband has been laid off and this was just a true blessing,” said Brandee Abrevaya, who brought her two young sons to shop. “They were up at the crack of dawn, couldn't wait to go shopping.”

In the past two decades, the program has help approximately 1,000 children in need.

“My boys want to grow up to be either Batman or a policeman and when we got a call from a police officer saying they can go see Santa Claus and get Batman toys, it doesn't get any better than that,” said Abrevaya.

The community and Walmart have donated around $100,000 to the program since its inception in 1997.