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PARK CITY -- Santa Claus hired a different kind of elf Saturday to help hand out toys. Police officers and sheriff's deputies took part in what will be many "Shop with a Cop" events across Utah.
The mission is simple -- help underprivileged children have a happy holiday. Law enforcement officers say this is the best part of their job. All it takes is one look to understand why.
Instead of Santa's reindeer and sleigh, the holiday givers headed to the Park City Walmart loaded with lights, sirens and kids.
You never know where they come from or what their year was like. It sure makes my holidays a lot brighter, it does.
–Officer Jim Foust
Kids and cops teamed up for the annual tradition of shopping together for toys.
"You never know where they come from or what their year was like," said Officer Jim Foust. "It sure makes my holidays a lot brighter, it does."
The jolly man in the big red suit was even flown in for the big event. He arrived to greet the girls and boys in helicopter.
It didn't take long for the kids to think about what they wanted -- pillow pets, baby dolls and Barbie dolls filled the carts.
A few lucky boys got new bikes. Even though the kids take home some serious stash, they're really not the ones that benefit here. It's the adults who love every minute of it.
"Just seeing the smiles on their face and how happy they are to be here, you know," said Foust. "I'm as happy as they are to be here."
He went on to say, "I've been doing this a long time and I got to tell you, every year it never gets old, coming and hanging out with these kids and having breakfast with them. What a great deal. What a great deal."
The Utah "Shop with a Cop" program is in its 20th year.
E-mail: lprichard@ksl.com
