Children to Go Shopping With Ind. Firefighters

Dec. 15--If you see dozens of firefighters at Target Sunday morning, don't be alarmed.

Area emergency responders have been helping local families purchase clothing, winter wear and toys in their annual December shopping and giving programs.

Shop with a Firefighter, organized by Bloomington Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Local 586, starts at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Target on the city's east side.

Thirty families chosen by the Head Start program will be paired with firefighters and purchase winter coats and other clothing. Youngsters also get to pick out a toy or two. An estimated 40 firefighters will participate in Sunday's shopping, according to Sgt. Jayme Washel.

"It's just a fantastic program, it really is," Washel said. "It's extremely rewarding."

Bloomington firefighters raised $8,500 to spend on the 30 families during this year's event.

Members of the Don Owens Memorial Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 participated in its annual Shop with a Cop on Dec. 9 at Walmart.

Twenty-six officers and volunteers from the Bloomington Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Indiana University Police Department and Ellettsville Police Department participated.

"We aim to spend $100 on clothing essentials for the kids, including winter coats, hats and gloves, and school clothes, and also let them choose a $20 present," according to FOP secretary Paul Post. FOP members were paired with 83 local children and their families this year and spent an estimated $120 on each child.

Copyright 2012 - Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind.