This blue light special is all about the kids.

The Hinesville Police Department will hold its fourth annual Shop With a Cop on Saturday from 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Walmart.

“It is inspiring,” HPD Chief Tracey Howard said. “It makes Christmas for me. It puts into perspective what Christmas is. I look forward to participating in it.” Under Shop With a Cop, children are given a budget, typically around $150, and go through Walmart buying Christmas gifts for their families, while being escorted by a Hinesville police officer.

Children who take part in Shop With a Cop are identified by the Liberty County School System and some are identified by officers who visit homes as part of their jobs. Chief Howard also thanked the HPD’s community partners who have donated to make the program possible.

“It blesses me every season to see how charitable Hinesville and our community partners are,” he said.

Buying Christmas presents with a cop in tow also allows the kids to see officers in a different light, Howard added.

“It also gets the children more familiar with the officers,” he said.

The HPD continues to take donations for the program and those interested in helping can call the HPD at (912) 368-8211

tel:(912) 3688211