ROCKVILLE, Md. — It’s beginning to look a little more like Christmas for some local children in need. On Saturday morning, some Montgomery County police officers played the role of jolly old Saint Nick.
The goal was to help those who otherwise wouldn’t have a merry Christmas. The officers wanted to bring the Christmas spirit and put smiles on the kids’ faces.
鈥淚 was looking for this my entire life — for a camper, for my doll,鈥� says Kaniya Miller, a fourth-grader at Maryvale Elementary School in Rockville.聽 She was one of 20 kids selected from the school to shop with a cop at the Target in Rockville.
Once again, Target has teamed with Montgomery County police for the shopping event. 聽This is the first year it was held at the Rockville store, says Target manager Lisa Jensen.
Target donated $100 gift cards to each child. The company, with its 鈥淗eroes & Helpers program, more than $200,000 to 200 communities across the country.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited because it鈥檚 almost Christmas and I can get whatever I want,鈥� said Taylor Orellana, who spent most of her聽money on presents for her mom and family.
She got herself a little something, though: 鈥淚 did get Easy Bake Oven cause I love cooking.鈥�
The kids weren’t the only ones smiling. Saturday’s聽experience gave children an opportunity to see the police in a new light.
“It鈥檚 exciting to see how happy the kids are,鈥� said聽Officer Michael Prather.
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