37 children will have a brighter Christmas after going on a shopping trip this weekend with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. The department says its annual Shop with a Cop program took pace at the Niles Walmart. More than $7,400 was donated to the department for the program this year, which benefitted 11 families. The sheriff’s department reserve unit deputies took the kids on a shopping trip at Walmart and allowed them to pick out gifts for themselves and their families. The eleven families and the children were from Niles, Berrien Springs, Benton Township, New Buffalo, and Benton Harbor. They were referred to the sheriff’s department by schools and other civic organizations. The sheriff’s department says the families also received holiday food baskets and gift cards. After Saturday’s shopping spree, the reserve unit members and took the children and their families to Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles for snacks and gift wrapping.
The following businesses and civic organizations donated money, goods, and services to the event.
Niles Area Walmart.
Subway.
United Federal Credit Union.
Punishers Southwest Michigan.
Stevensville United Methodist Church.
Michiana Christian Embassy.
Milano Pizza of Niles.
Friends for Berrien Springs.
Lane Automotive.
LECO Corporation.
Antibus Scales & Systems.
Wightman & Associates.
Pike Funeral Home.
Redbud Recreation Inc.
Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit members.
