HARLINGEN — The eyes of Victor, a Harlingen elementary school student, lit up as soon as he heard he was getting a gift card to Cinemark theater for a movie and a meal.
“I’m going to the movies? I never went to the movies,” he said. “Yessss,” he said excitedly.
The annual Shop With a Cop event hosted by the Harlingen Police Department started Wednesday at 8 a.m. Children from different Harlingen schools including from Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, IDEA public schools and Jubilee Academy got to receive a $100 gift card for Target. Usually, the police officers take the children for bowling and pizza afterward, but this year was different. Because of safety precautions, taking them to the movie theater was not an option either, Police Chief Michael Kester said.
“We decided to also give them a gift card for them to enjoy as well as a meal at Cinemark,” Kester said.
The police department has been partnering with HCISD along with other schools for the past six years. When the event began in 2015, only around 35 students were able to do the shop with a cop experience.
“Because of COVID it has been a difficult year for everybody but this program is something we needed to keep going with. We reduced the number of kids and we split them in half so they would show up at different times,” he said.
A few of the children who are doing virtual learning attended alongside their parents.
“We have such a grateful community that we raised more money this year than we have in the past years, over $13,000,” Kester said.
Fifty-seven children were able to choose the items of their liking while accompanied by their police officer partner.
Commander Ray Cavazos has done every Shop With a Cop since it started.
“It is one of the best things that PD has started, it’s awesome. We are making sure we maintain our distances and sanitize,” Cavazos said.
“It took us 20 minutes. He knew exactly what he wanted,” Cavazos said about how long Victor took to do his Christmas shopping.
Victor got two toys for himself, UNO cards for his brothers and for his cousin, too.
“I found out yesterday about coming. I decided when I got home I wanted to buy this because I love them,” he said.
Kaylin, another Harlingen elementary school student, got a jacket for herself, pajamas and bracelets. She also got a notebook for her sister, pens for her mother and toys for her brother.
Leon Villarreal, manager at Target, said the store made sure to practice CDC guidelines and make the experience as safe as possible.
“Before we would really showcase the spirit of Christmas but this year was different. We really appreciate the partnership. During this tough time we are just really glad to continue this event with the kids and see them happy and excited,” Villarreal said.
“A couple of them say they have never been to Target and they say no and look super excited. We want to make it a wonderful experience for them,” he said.
Dr. Art Cavazos, HCISD Superintendent, said the most important part about this year’s event is being able to pull it through.
They kept it during a pandemic and that really tells us the commitment and the chief and all the people who donated and realize Christmas is a really special time even during a pandemic,” he said.
The children also received a Thanksgiving dinner thanks to the donations from the community.
“We are blessed, my heart is filled with gratitude” Cavazos said.
