“Cops Target Kids” a Kannapolis tradition for 13 years
Published 12:10 am Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Kannapolis police and 18 of the 49 children selected for this year's "Cops Target Kids" program descended on Target last Thursday. As part of the program, children are given a budget to spend on clothing and essentials but also on toys and games for themselves. Many of the kids got a kick out of being chauffeured in the carts by officers, surrounded by their selections. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci
The entire group from last Thursday's Cops Target Kids, the final day of three days of shopping for 49 selected local children and the officers they were paired with. The group arrived at Target in a caravan of police vehicles, lights and sirens going, and Target employees came out to welcome them before they all gathered for a group photo. Included is collection of photos from Elisabeth Strillacci of the Post and from the city of Kannapolis.
KANNAPOLIS — They started the morning with a breakfast to fuel the pending shopping spree, as Kannapolis police officers teamed up with local kids for the department’s annual “Cops Target Kids” Christmas shopping trip.
According to Sgt. Travis Kiser, who helped organize the event, 49 children were selected to participate over three days of shopping. On Thursday, the final day of shopping, officers, family members and 18 children visited Target to shop for both essential clothing supplies and toys and games.
When the group left the police department, heading for Target, they traveled in a caravan of police and emergency vehicles, with blue lights going and sirens singing through the neighborhoods. On arrival, Target employees were lined up outside the entranceway to welcome the shoppers and take a group photo before unleashing them on the store.
Kiser said he believes this is the program’s 13th year, and he himself has been a part of it for 10 years.
“I love watching the interactions between the kids and the officers,” he said. “The kids can see we’re human, too.”
The children are recommended by school counselors, and Kiser credited Master Police Officer Jennifer Macky with the pairing up of officers and children.
“She takes all the information gathered about their personalities and needs and works incredibly hard to pair them up with an officer who matches,” he said.
Thanks to generous donations from supporters, each child had a budget of $450 to spend, and after visiting Target, they headed to Rack Room Shoes to pick out a new pair of kicks.
Milly, the department’s therapy dog, also came along for the trip, enjoying the pets and hugs from the children. Lunch and a visit with Santa rounded out the day.
“This is one of our favorite weeks of the year,” Kannapolis Police Chief Terry Spry said. “Our officers are dedicated to making this a memorable Christmas experience for the children. It is special to see the children’s faces light up when they pick out a coat, toy, or shoes. They are so appreciative and excited. We are grateful for the public’s support of this event.”
Additionally, another 1,000 children in Kannapolis will receive gifts thru the Toys for Tots drive held by the Kannapolis Police Department. The gifts will be delivered to homes throughout the city between now and Christmas.
Some of the children were excited and energetic in their shopping, while others were initially shy and hesitant. But by the end of the morning, everyone had a cart full of things they were happy with.
“This is such a great program,” said shopper David Landis who, like many who came into Target as the police caravan arrived with lights and sirens going, wondered what was happening. “I saw all the police cars and heard the sirens and wondered what had happened, and I’m so glad to get to see this. This gives kids a chance to see police as people, to know that police are your friends. I think it’s awesome.”
