DPD’s Blue Santa Shop with a Cop

The Duluth Police Department’s annual Blue Santa Shop with a Cop event was held tonight at Target. Every year the DPD partners with multiple community outreach groups to help those in our community buy holiday gifts. This year alone, 30 families and children were able to shop with members of the Duluth Police Department.

“It’s just seeing the joy on the kids’ faces. They get to go out and pick something out that they may not have been able to get. So that right there is showing that we care about them, that’s the best part for me,” says James Forsyth, West Community officer for DPD.

The event had kids running up and down the aisles of Target attempting to fill up their carts with only $200 worth of toys, a hard task.

“A lot of the stuff I’m probably going to give to family and friends, some of it might be for me, but I think it’s better to give than to just get yourself,” says Austin Ciesla, one of the kids participating in the shopping experience.

Irving Community Club donated $10,000 and Target donated $2,500 to the Blue Santa Shop with a Cop event. A percentage of the Irving Community Club’s donation will go toward 20 families to receive a $200 gift card to Super One to help purchase food over the holiday.