LIHU‘E — Leilani Albarado was surprised to find out Kaua‘i Police Officer Aaron Bandman was related to her grandmother, Tuesday morning. Albarado was one of 50 children selected to participate in the Big Kmart’s Shop With a Cop program. Jarrett
LIHU‘E — Leilani Albarado was surprised to find out Kaua‘i Police Officer Aaron Bandman was related to her grandmother, Tuesday morning.
Albarado was one of 50 children selected to participate in the Big Kmart’s Shop With a Cop program.
Jarrett Chytka, returning to work after welcoming a new baby to his family, said the annual event offers the children free breakfast courtesy of Little Caesar, a goodie bag prepared by the Big Kmart staff, and a $50 gift card to use when shopping with an officer of the Kaua‘i Police Department.
“This year, we have a bonus,” Chytka said. “In addition to the $50, we’ve upped the card to $52.50 to take in account the tax. Additionally, if shopping for toys, the toy department features a 25 percent discount which means you get even more out of your dollar.”
Rosie Carrillo of The Childen’s Justice Center said the selected children came from several different agencies in the community, including the state’s Human Services Child Welfare division, Hale Kipa, Hale ‘Opio, and the YWCA Women’s Center.
Following a breakfast at Little Caesar which now features Nathan’s hot dogs, the children were presented with their gift card and a goodie bag from Santa and Elf Betty before embarking on their journey through the Big Kmart store.
“We made a deal,” said Officer Luke Hamberg, laughing with his shopper. “No underwear.”
That did not raise any objection from his shopper as the caravan of officers and shoppers wound through the many different departments before settling in the toy department.
“Look at this,” said Officer Darla Abbatiello-Higa. “She’s buying cereal. I remember growing up, how important cereal was.”
Higa was chaperoning a contingent of eight Police Explorers, one of whom chaperoned a shopper since the shopper’s mother had to work.
Chytka said funds for this program comes from a combination of vendors and promotional buys set up in the store.
“This year, especially, it was tough to have this program, but we’re thankful that we’re able to put it on,” Chytka said. “It’s great to see the smiles on not only the shoppers, but on the police officers as well.”
Dana Garven, a Big Kmart employee since the store opened on Kaua‘i 16 years ago, took her turn helping serve up breakfast pizza before adjourning to watch the sea of shoppers leave the dining area.
“I don’t know how long we’ve been doing this,” Garven said. “It’s always a great feeling to see all the smiles.”
Chytka said people don’t realize what a great job the police department does for this island.
“They don’t need to be here with the needy children,” Chytka said. “They could be home sleeping, or doing this with their own families, but they’re here. This is a true testament to police officers.”
