PHOTO PROVIDED Cape Coral Police Department Interim Chief Anthony Sizemore with a "Shop with a Cop" participant on Monday at Walmart in Cape Coral.

Local police were able to make the holiday season that much brighter for 40 Cape Coral families on Monday.

The 18th annual “Shop with a Cop” took over Walmart on Del Prado Boulevard as officers from the Cape Coral Police Department teamed up with local youth to assist with gift purchases for their family and themselves.

Officers could be seen paired with children, and wagons full of goodies, meandering up and down the aisles meticulously selecting which game to get for a brother or sister or what toy might be the perfect holiday treat.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said CCPD Sgt. Patrick O’Grady, who live-streamed some of the shopping via Facebook on Monday. “It’s when we can help give back to families in our community and can feel appreciated by their police department.”

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #33 and the department’s “Do The Right Thing” program sponsors make the event possible. Each year, officers get to spend positive one-on-one time with the children of Cape Coral families who are struggling during difficult times, and especially in 2020.

“We’re proud to help the families out and it’s just a great community program to help support those in need during the holidays,” O’Grady said.

For the health and safety of both the children and officers, parents dropped off their little shoppers to Walmart where they were greeted by their officer and given a holiday-themed mask, then entered in socially distanced groups. Each child was given wrapping paper, scissors, and tape to wrap their presents. This year, each child, officer and volunteer were given lunch from Panera Bread.

Each child was also given a complete Christmas dinner for their family which was bought by one of the sponsors at expRealty, LLC Vasbinder International Home Team.

“We have kids everywhere,” O’Grady said during the live stream. “We have officers everywhere with kids doing the right thing, making sure we bring some holiday spirit and cheer to the families and we help them with picking our presents and stay within a budget.”

Many officers pushing the carts all morning included School Resource Officers and members of the Community Services Bureau, among others.

“Shop With a Cop could not be as successful if it were not for the generous donors (Defenders Motorcycle Club, Suncoast Credit Union, Cape Coral Eagles Club, and Sunset Rotary Club) volunteers, planners, Police Officers, and families who signed up,” said CCPD officials in a release. “So many people volunteer their time to make this event one of the best events of the year. This event wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of Anella ‘Joy’ Nyack, the Community Outreach Projects Coordinator. Joy works hard all year to make sure this event is successful.”

Participants were selected via an application process conducted by CCPD.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj