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Halifax Regional Police looks forward each year to celebrating the true spirit of the season with CopShop. The 11th annual event took place earlier today, with 50 HRP officers serving as personal shoppers for 50 specially-chosen local children.
Halifax Shopping Centre (HSC) and HRP joined together once again for a day that officers describe as the most wonderful time of the year. Each child received a $200 gift card generously donated by Halifax Shopping Centre, a stocking filled with goodies and a new winter coat from Sport Chek. In the spirit of giving, HSC also gave each shopping duo a $10 gift card to ‘pay it forward;’ they asked each officer and child to purchase a gift for a child the same age, which the mall will donate to the Salvation Army Toy Drive.
“After 11 years of partnering with Halifax Shopping Centre to bring the joy of the season to children in our community, it wouldn’t seem like Christmas without CopShop,” says Chief Jean-Michel (JM) Blais. “Through the ongoing and generous support of Halifax Shopping Centre, this magical event has become part of our holiday tradition and we thank HSC for spreading holiday spirit throughout our organization and our community.”
As in past years, the children selected for CopShop were recommended by a variety of sources and were chosen because of need, recognition of specific academic or sports achievement or because of volunteer efforts that are making a difference in our community.
“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Halifax Regional Police and excited to continue this special event which brings joy during the holiday season to deserving children in our community,” says Stephanie Schnare, Marketing Director of Halifax Shopping Centre.
CopShop, which originated at Halifax Shopping Centre in 2005, has gone national for an eighth year with eight other 20 VIC Management centres in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan holding their own CopShop events in December. More than 300 children across Canada will benefit from this year’s event.
Thank you to everyone involved, especially the organizers at HRP and HSC who put their heart and soul into the event to make it enjoyable for the kids, both young and old.
