FORT WORTH, Texas — One of the most magical times of the year is fast approaching in Tarrant County.
Fort Worth police's 9th annual "Shop with a Cop" Holiday Event provides a shopping spree for 500 underprivileged children in December. All children are pre-selected. The department said this event is designed to unite officers with local disadvantaged kids for a special day of shopping. Their goal is to give each child a $100 gift card and pair them with an officer for the shopping spree.
Families told WFAA it's an event they look forward to every year because it ensures their children have gifts to open on Christmas Day.
However, this year, Fort Worth police are low on funds and need the public's help to make this shopping spree happen. They're hoping to raise $50,000.
"Being able to help some of the young kids who may not have a Christmas means the world to me as well as these officers," officer Tracy Carter said in an interview with WFAA. "To those of you who donate, the Fort Worth P.D. family, the community and our partners thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping us to build bridges within the community."
The Hope Initiative nonprofit organization is partnering with Fort Worth PD to raise funds. The founder, Dr. Robert Harper, said "as a society we must do all we can to support the less fortunate, especially kids. The goal is to not only financially help these children, but to let them know they have someone to turn to when faced with a potential crisis."
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