27 kids given $200 gift cards during operation CPS CopShop
CPS CopShop at Marlborough Mall Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Calgary Police Service and Marlborough Mall are teaming up to brighten the holidays season for some very deserving local youth.
More than 30 officers will shop ’til they drop alongside 27 specially chosen youth as part of the eighth annual CPS CopShop initiative. The kids will each receive a $200 gift card donated by Marlborough Mall and a stocking filled with holiday goodies from a number of mall merchants.
“Marlborough Mall is dedicated to giving back to the community and is proud to partner, once again, with the Calgary Police Service on this great initiative that benefits the community,” said Kim Wiltse, Marketing Director, Marlborough Mall. “The opportunity to participate in CopShop and help the CPS make the holidays brighter for some well-deserving youth and their families, is something that we are honored to be a part of.”
The children who were chosen for CPS CopShop were recommended by a number of sources and were selected based on need, recognition of a specific academic or sporting achievement or because they volunteered in their community.
Calgary Police Constable Andy Woodward and 29 other officers welcomed the kids at the Marlborough Mall food court at 10 a.m. From there, the shoppers were matched up with their CPS shopping buddy. The youth then used their gift cards to buy winter clothing, toys and holiday gifts for their family and friends.
Along with sharing some holiday spirit, one of the goals of CPS CopShop is to build positive relationships between the youth and Calgary Police. The CopShop program began at a Halifax area shopping centre and similar events have been put on by 20 VIC Management centres across Canada, including locations in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.