Rockford Police Union pairs with local kids for holiday shopping experience

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The Rockford Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 6 shops for necessities and gifts from Target for kids in need.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Dec. 14, officers shopped with local kids for the 31st annual “Presents with the PB&PA” at Target, 6560 E. State Street.

This year, 139 kids were selected for the shopping experience by the Rockford Public School District and the PB&PA. They get to pick out warm clothing and a special toy for themselves, and pick gifts for others.

80 officers volunteered to help out with the event.

“Nobody calls the police for a good reason, so, this event is different than what we normally have to do, responding to, you know, tragedies and stuff like that,” says Kaera Watson, Detective with the Rockford Police Department. “So, when you get to volunteer and be a part of something good and be there for a good memory with kids and parents and stuff in the community, then I get a lot more people to sign up for that.”

The event is funded by the PB&PA with help from Target’s “Heroes and Helpers” program.

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