Rosie Carrillo of the Children’s Justice Center was moved when she reviewed the contents of a young shopper’s package. There were gifts for a brother, a relative, parents — but none for himself. “Don’t worry, I have a lot of
Rosie Carrillo of the Children’s Justice Center was moved when she reviewed the contents of a young shopper’s package.
There were gifts for a brother, a relative, parents — but none for himself.
“Don’t worry, I have a lot of gift cards I can use for myself,” the young shopper told Carrillo.
Carrillo, one of the coordinators for the Shop With A Cop program yesterday morning at Kmart, was impressed with the shopper’s gesture.
About 50 children, between 4 and 17 years old, representing the YWCA, Department of Human Services, Foster Parents and Hale ‘Opio, enjoyed breakfast at Kmart’s Little Caesars before embarking on a shopping spree, each with their very own private shopper in the form of a Kaua‘i police officer.
Kmart’s Jim Wilson presented each shopper with a $50 gift card and a candy cane as they headed out of the food court and into the aisles.
Acting police chief Clay Arinaga said about 15 officers — some of whom came on their days off, and some of whom were on vacation — helped the children shop.
This is the third year Kmart has hosted the event, in what has been a truly busy holiday season with various Kauai Food Bank and Toys for Tots drives.
“This is the best event we host in the year,” manager Jarrett Chytka said. “This is a nationwide event and this is really great. But we couldn’t do it without the help of the Kmart staff who took time out of the holiday rush to spend some time with these children.”
Chytka said it was heart-warming to see the police officers come out to make a big difference in the community, and the cooperative work between the police, the Children’s Justice Center and his store’s staff made the event symbolic of the holiday spirit.
“The officers really do make a difference,” Carrillo said. “It helps the children know the police are their friends.”
Carrillo said she was pleased the event included more of the young adults and teens this year.
“A lot of times, the programs are geared for the younger children and these young adults are left out,” she said. “It’s nice to see their needs get addressed because they need programs, too.”
For Officer Trent Shimabukuro, Shop With A Cop reminded him of his own family as he watched his young charge browse through Barbie horses.
“I have a daughter, too, so I know how it is,” Shimabukuro said, just as his shopper found her horse.
He wasn’t the only one whose search ended happily.
“In the three years, this is the first time my shopper hit the mark,” Eric Shibuya said. “He had 6 cents to spare.”
Chytka said in previous events, the police officers dipped into their own pockets to make up the difference between the young shoppers’ gift cards and the total of the gifts selected.
“This is very positive for the children,” Wilson said while waiting for the next batch of shoppers.
“It puts light in the life and hearts of these children who would otherwise not have that bright of a holiday.”
