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Three Elmhurst police officers took part in the season of giving by taking three local children out for donuts and holiday shopping last week.
The event was part of the 2009 Shop with a Cop event sponsored by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, DuPage County Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 109, and the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association.
More than 50 children participated in the program Saturday morning Dec. 12 hosted by nine different agencies, including Elmhurst police.
Officers Art Ciszewski, Ken Lafin and Matt McCollum each picked up a local child in a police cruiser and took them to Wheaton Bowl and then the Wal-Mart in Bloomingdale.
McCollum said the event benefits less fortunate families in the community
“The kid was in the front seat playing with the lights and siren and stuff,” he said. “(The child) was really excited to do Shop with a Cop ... the family is going through some tough times right now.”
McCollum spent time with a fourth-grade student at Emerson Elementary School. Once at Wal-Mart, each of the participating children received $150, provided through donations to FOP Lodge 109, to spend on gifts for their family.
McCollum said the boy he was with spent his money on gifts for Mom, three pairs of pants, Nintendo DS games, a Cubs shirt and some other toys.
“He was really excited,” McCollum said.
The boy’s mother, Anna, whose daughter, also participated in the event, said her children were elated to participate.
“They came back extremely excited,” she said. “I’m glad the police did something like this.”
Ciszewski said his buddy, also a fourth-grader at Emerson, was having a good time, too.
“He was driving the shopping cart, chasing (another boy),” he said. “Looked like he really enjoyed it.”
McCollum, in his second year with the program, said he enjoyed Shop with a Cop too.
“Especially around the holidays, it’s nice to give back to the community this way,” he said. “Definitely different than what we do on the street, it’s a different way to serve the community.”
Want to help?
One of the partiicipating children, Benny, is a fourth grader at Emerson who wants to play youth football with the Elmhurst Eagles but whose family cannot currently afford dues. Any residents interested in helping fund Benny's way on the team can call Det. Ed Coughlin at (630) 530-3077.
Three Elmhurst police officers took part in the season of giving by taking three local children out for donuts and holiday shopping last week.
The event was part of the 2009 Shop with a Cop event sponsored by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, DuPage County Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 109, and the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association.
More than 50 children participated in the program Saturday morning Dec. 12 hosted by nine different agencies, including Elmhurst police.
Officers Art Ciszewski, Ken Lafin and Matt McCollum each picked up a local child in a police cruiser and took them to Wheaton Bowl and then the Wal-Mart in Bloomingdale.
McCollum said the event benefits less fortunate families in the community
“The kid was in the front seat playing with the lights and siren and stuff,” he said. “(The child) was really excited to do Shop with a Cop ... the family is going through some tough times right now.”
McCollum spent time with a fourth-grade student at Emerson Elementary School. Once at Wal-Mart, each of the participating children received $150, provided through donations to FOP Lodge 109, to spend on gifts for their family.
McCollum said the boy he was with spent his money on gifts for Mom, three pairs of pants, Nintendo DS games, a Cubs shirt and some other toys.
“He was really excited,” McCollum said.
The boy’s mother, Anna, whose daughter, also participated in the event, said her children were elated to participate.
“They came back extremely excited,” she said. “I’m glad the police did something like this.”
Ciszewski said his buddy, also a fourth-grader at Emerson, was having a good time, too.
“He was driving the shopping cart, chasing (another boy),” he said. “Looked like he really enjoyed it.”
McCollum, in his second year with the program, said he enjoyed Shop with a Cop too.
“Especially around the holidays, it’s nice to give back to the community this way,” he said. “Definitely different than what we do on the street, it’s a different way to serve the community.”
Want to help?
One of the partiicipating children, Benny, is a fourth grader at Emerson who wants to play youth football with the Elmhurst Eagles but whose family cannot currently afford dues. Any residents interested in helping fund Benny's way on the team can call Det. Ed Coughlin at (630) 530-3077.
