AUBURN, Ind. – Officers with the Auburn Police Department brightened the holiday season for a large group of children Thursday 
night during its annual Shop with a Cop event at the Auburn Walmart.
This year the department was able to assist 54 children from 22 families. Due to the number of children the shopping trip was broken up into two groups, giving officers the opportunity to converse with a wider range of children.
“This is the largest group of children we have helped over the years,” said Auburn Police Chief Cory Heffelfinger. “This is by far one of my favorite events to do throughout the year. It is a great chance for children to meet and hang out with officers, while at the same time we are helping those that truly need it. The event allows us to interact with children and families in a way we normally do not get to.”
The event is paid for thanks to the generosity of local individuals who donate to the cause year after year. This year each child will also receive a free bicycle for Christmas thanks to the generous donation of an anonymous donor.
Heffelfinger said his department would like to thank all the donors who continue to support the program, which began in the mid-1990s.
Along with the shopping experience families also received gift certificates for a pizza dinner from a local restaurant.