Volunteers shop for families in need

CRESTVIEW — Shopping has been on the Crestview Police Department's agenda. Not for supplies or equipment, but for Christmas toys.

The department’s annual Cops for Kids program concluded with a Wal-Mart shopping spree that used raised funds to purchase gifts for families in need. A total of $9,302 was donated and 215 children were added to the shopping list, according to Community Service Officer Wanda Hulion. Volunteers were given each child’s gender, age and a few interests to assist in picking out gifts.

Volunteers included neighborhood watch members, off-duty CPD officers, dispatchers and CPD families, said Hulion. She said they expected about eight volunteers — an improvement from last year’s six.

“I love this part of the job,” said CPD officer Mike Tingle, one of the shopping volunteers.

Tingle said this was his first year participating in the gift-buying aspect of the program. Initially, he had some difficulty deciding what to buy for “a 12-year-old girl,” but as he went down his list, the decisions became easier and easier.

“Those first few toys can be hard to pick out for most people,” said Hulion. “After that, though, they can usually pick out the right toy for any child.”

Katie Williams, another volunteer, was experienced in buying toys for children. She became aware of the event through her husband in the CPD. With boys at home, she was happy to mix up her shopping.

“I’m just excited I get to shop for girls for a change,” said Williams. Her toy-section experience was evident as she guided other volunteers to specific toy areas.

Volunteers were given a list with children’s information for each family and a large bag. They were budgeted to spend $50 per child and encouraged to buy two or three toys for each, according to Hulion. She said that 89 families were being assisted through Cops for Kids, a number she expected to increase throughout the day.

She said that 89 families were being assisted through Cops for Kids, a number she expected to increase.