GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- It is not their usual beat, but some Grand Rapids police officers went on a very special call, Tuesday. They accompanied some elementary and high school students on a special shopping trip.
The event, called Shop with a Hero, is organized by GRPD and Meijer. It gave students a chance to enjoy a brighter holiday.
Ten students, between the ages of eight and 14 years old, were chosen from East Leonard and Coit Elementary Schools, as well as Union High School.
Armed with $100 Meijer gift cards, students and cops roamed the aisles in search of the perfect Christmas presents. A few of the children chose to buy gifts for their families, instead.
After spending time with the officers, the students said they saw a new side to the men and women in blue.
“They’re nice,” said student, Elisia Piarre. “I want to be a police officer.”
“It melts your heart.” said officer and event organizer, Neil Gomez. “It was nice to have a family-oriented police officer interaction.”
The event is much like the more common Shop with a Cop. Officers said this is the first time they partnered with Meijer.
