KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Dreams turned into reality for students in Kershaw County as they participated in the heartwarming event, "Shop with a Cop," on Friday.
With shopping carts and Christmas lists, the event allowed students, paired with officers, to check off several items from these wish lists.
"I believe we're blessed to be a blessing. If I can put a smile on his face," investigator Justin Rufus from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice said.
Investigator Rufus was paired with sixth-grader Joshua Powell, who navigated through the aisles, joyfully picking out gifts for himself and his loved ones.
"It was cool to see him pick up stuff for his mom, his dad, for his sisters, and those are some of the first people he wanted to pick stuff up for," Investigator Rufus said.
"Every student in our building was covered this year, and we literally doubled, almost tripled, our numbers. As you saw today, we had about 70 shoppers altogether," said Dr. Karen Oldham, the director of the Continous Learning Center.
The shopping experience connects students with people in the community and allows them to acquire $50 worth of gifts for themselves and their loved ones.
"We incorporate it to where it's not just a shopping spree piece; we do it each year as a scavenger hunt. We have a list of things so the kids have to pick out some items like something I could wear, something I could buy one of my guardians or parents," Dr. Oldham said.
For Powell, the experience meant a chance to bring his parents and sisters joy.
"I owe them back and do something for them for the first time," Powell said.
While Joshua may have surpassed the $50 limit, Investigator Rufus said that every carefully chosen gift was under the Christmas tree.
"It was only a few dollars extra dollars," Rufus said.
In addition to the community's generosity, local grocery stores donated enough groceries to fill two bags for each student.