7th Annual Shop with the Cops

Kyle and Noah Taylor walked through the front of Severn's Wal-Mart with a little extra pep in their step. The brothers, smiling ear-to-ear, were just two of 60 children participating in the annual Shop With A Cops event on Saturday morning.

As a part of Shop With A Cop, children were escorted by officers and given a $100 gift card to spend on presents for the holidays.

"This is the best program we do all year," said President of the Annapolis Optimist Club, Glen Rotner.

In a partnership between local Optimist Clubs and officers from the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Sherriff's Department, Annapolis City PD and Department of Natural Resources, children from elementary to high school were given a holiday experience they likely won't forget.

What began with just 12 children in 2004, has now become a huge part of Christmas for families, said Pam Bowman, chairperson for the Fort Smallwood Optimist Club in Pasadena.

"We're making Christmas happen for some kids that wouldn't have it otherwise," said Bowman.

The local Optimist clubs raised money through local business partnerships and personal donations to receive $6,000 this year, enabling more children to be involved than ever before.

The children were selected by their school's guidance counselors, and then contacted by their personal officers before the event, said Lt. Bruce Whitlow.

Ranging from Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Severna Park, Annapolis, Edgewater and Cherry Hill, children were greeted with muffins and Capri Sun drink pouches before cruising through the aisles.

As officers followed along and pushed the gift-filled carts, a surprising fact came to light.

"The kids usually buy things for others, not themselves. Games, things for their siblings, coats for their mothers, the cops are usually surprised if they've never done this before," said Rotner.

One child was even patrolling with his officer through the cooking section and selected a frying pan for his family.

As expected, many children took their cops immediately to the electronic section, awing at the advanced gizmos and games.

While the kids were shopping, Whitlow still possessed an extra surprise for the children. Toys 'R' Us donated a $500 gift card to the local event, allowing Whitlow to purchase over 40 Zhu Zhu pets, a hot ticket item this Christmas.

"They're in my trunk right now, we'll have to wrap them too," he said.

After the shopping spree, the children were then escorted to Outback Steakhouses in Glen Burnie and Annapolis where they enjoyed a free meal while the Optimist Club members wrapped the recently purchased presents.

"It's just great to get into the spirit of Christmas by helping those in need," said Colleen Stephenson, a volunteer with the police department.

"I picked presents for everybody. My mom, dad, my dog," said Noah Taylor. Many participants said they were touched by the generosity of the children as they selected toys for others instead to themselves.

However, that didn't mean each child wasn't excited to receive some gifts too.

"I wonder what [Kyle] got me," said Noah Taylor emphatically.