DICKSON CITY - Joshua Williams sat in the red cart surrounded by gifts for his family - a wallet for his grandpa, some toy cars for his younger brother, his mind on what to get his Nana - while Dickson City Patrolman Jason Oakey steered him from aisle to aisle to hunt for presents.
Five-year-old Nyah Parker teamed up with her mom and Officer Karen Gallagher, walking up and down the toy-lined rows at Target, excitedly scouring the shelves for presents for her brother.
"She's been talking about it all week," said Nyah's mother, Jaine Montes.
Ms. Montes said the shopping spree was not only a great holiday surprise, it was a chance for her daughter and other young children to learn to trust and go to police officers for help.
"For them to get to know the officers, that's a good thing," she said.
Joshua and Nyah were among 22 kindergarten students from Mid Valley Elementary Center who participated in the first Shop with a Cop event in Dickson City, where borough officers teamed up with students thanks to an outreach program through Target. Local businesses donated enough money for each child to get a $50 gift card for holiday shopping for themselves and family.
Borough Police Chief William Bilinski said the program was a good chance to have positive interaction with the community's young people.
"Usually when they have contact with us, it's not on great terms. This time, it's a positive," Chief Bilinski said.
After shopping with a local cop, kids were treated to a pizza party with goodie bags and a visit from Santa.
"They're all excited. They came in smiling, couldn't wait to get the gift card and start running around," Chief Bilinski said.
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