New Lenox Police To Host Shop With A Cop

NEW LENOX, IL — The New Lenox Police Department is partnering with MorningStar Mission and the New Lenox Walmart for Shop with a Cop on Saturday.

The Shop with a Cop program involves police officers donating their time to take a group of more than 40 children ages 6 to 13 on a Christmas shopping spree, according to New Lenox Police Department Deputy Chief Micah Nuesse. The children are selected by referrals from different social service agencies in the community, Nuesse said.

The day is scheduled to start off with a parade led by the police department to the New Lenox Walmart, followed by a visit with Santa, Nuesse said. After shopping with the officers, the children will return to the police department to have lunch and to wrap their Christmas gifts.

"This is a wonderful experience for all of us. It gives us the opportunity to help several children have a brighter Christmas and also a chance for the kids to spend some positive time with the police officers," Nuesse said.

MorningStar Mission, started in 1909 and based in Joliet, is a non-denominational 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides food, clothes and shelter for the homeless, according to information on its website.