Carts, cops and Christmas cheer: Bowling Green kids shop side-by-side with law enforcement

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Police sirens were replaced with laughter and rolling shopping carts Monday night as local law enforcement officers teamed up with children from the Boys and Girls Club for the annual Shop with a Cop event at Meijer. 

Fifty children were paired one-on-one with officers of all Warren County, each given $100 to spend on toys, clothes and gifts of their choosing, a holiday tradition that organizers say continues to grow in both impact and excitement. 

“Oh, we have 50 of our club members who are here shopping with the Fraternal Order of Police,” said Abbey Kitchens, chief operating officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bowling Green area. “They get to come and they get to spend $100… and pick out toys and clothes, anything that they want.” 

Kitchens said the anticipation often begins days before the event, when kids learn they’ve been selected to participate.

“When we make those phone calls or talk to the kids at the club and they find out they get to participate, they’re so excited,” she said. 

The program, organized by the Fraternal Order of Police, has been a Bowling Green holiday staple for nearly 50 years. Shawn Helbig, president of FOP Lodge 13, said the goal has always been simple: give kids a Christmas they might not otherwise have.

“This is a program we’ve had for almost 50 years,” Helbig said. “We bring 50 kids out for a Christmas that they otherwise wouldn’t get.” 

Helbig added the night also gives officers a chance to connect with families outside of emergency situations.

“We try to help the public understand that law enforcement is not just the guy that shows up when bad things are happening,” he said. “That they’re there when it’s good, too.” 

For the kids, the meaning of the night was clear, and joyful.

“Well, shopping with a cop and getting some really cool toys,” said Oliver, one of the participants. “It’s really fun.” 

Another child, Noah, summed it up simply: “It is good for the community and it’s fun.” 

As checkout lines filled and carts emptied, organizers said the evening delivered far more than gifts.