Right on Target: Kids shop with 14th District Cops

Officer Diaz "keeps the peace" as shoppers receive their hat from a Target helper

Smiles all around for kids, parents, officers from the Chicago Police Department's 14th District, 2150 N. California, and Target employees during the annual Shop with a Cop holiday event at the Logan Square Target store, 2656 N Elston Ave. 

Officer Cervantes has three brothers being very patient as their sister decides on the best toy

Each of the 20 children selected for this year's event received $100 worth of gifts they selected themselves. "The hardest thing is to keep the correct math calculations for each shopper," says Officer Friendly (A.K.A. Officer Tom McNamara) laughing. 

Officer McNamara works on his math skills

While Casey Shirrells headed up the Target team, Officer Martita Cervantes, worked with schools, churches and officers to invite the families that could most benefit from the outing. 

Target's Casey Shirrells helped one of the cashiers at the checkout last year

Officer Wiselogel is being challenged by one of the shoppers while Officer Rosales works with others

The officers are then matched up with the shoppers, who this year were identified by cone shaped party hats. Antler headgear identified Target helpers. Officers wore their distinctive blue and black with lots of hardware! 

While Target participates in donations for kids each year, the same stores are not selected. The 14th has been to the Logan Square store in 2015, 2017 and this year. Their 2016 shop was at Toys R Us. Officers participating this year were Martita Cervantes, Carlos Diaz, Tom McNamara, Linda Rosales, and Seth Wiselogel.

It is heartwarming to see how happy the children are as they have fun but are respectful to fellow shoppers and their shopping buddies.