Nearly 50 children were treated to free holiday shopping on Saturday, December 15th, courtesy of the Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 33.
Dubbed the ‘holiday shopping trip,’ the annual event is all about giving. It provides local children with gift cards valued at around $150 to purchase presents for their family members.
Then, greeted by volunteers, the children visit the police department where their gifts are wrapped and they can enjoy pizza and a movie.
Kicking off the day with a uniformed police chaperone picking them up from their homes, the kids are treated to breakfast at McDonald’s, then escorted to Walmart to do their shopping and take photos.
“We love giving back to the community and taking part in such a meaningful event,” said Sergeant Paul Blanchard, President of the Cape Coral FOP Lodge 33. “Seeing the joy on the children’s faces is so rewarding and a feeling I can’t describe.”
This is the 15thannual event held by the organization, which represents active and retired men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department. Overall, the shopping trip benefits over 100 children.
