Police department now accepting donations
Bourbonnais, IL — Christmas doesn’t have COVID-19. Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the annual Shop with a Cop event will be held Sunday, December 13, 2020 but will be heavily-modified to ensure a safe holiday experience. The program, hosted by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Bourbonnais Police Department and local law enforcement agencies, benefits underprivileged children in Kankakee County. The Bourbonnais Police Department is accepting financial donations through Monday, December 7th at 700 Main Street NW Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Previous holiday Shop with a Cop events included the experience of uniformed officers in their police vehicles picking up children at home. They would enjoy breakfast followed by shopping for gifts together. The children would additionally receive hats, gloves, books and a food basket to take home for each of their families to have a meal on Christmas.
This year will look much different. In order to still safely host the event, Shop with a Cop has been altered so that officers will receive lists from families, shop for the children and deliver the desired gifts to their homes. A food basket will continue to be provided.
“We look forward to helping out the kids and their families each holiday season,” stated Deputy Chief of Police, David Anderson. “We know it has been a difficult year for everyone, but we hope that the Shop with a Cop event can bring a bit of holiday spirit to those in need.”
In 2019, with the combined efforts of the Bourbonnais Police Department, the Village of Bourbonnais, its employees, residents and 22 Bourbonnais businesses, their contribution totaled almost $3,700 for Shop with a Cop. 74 volunteer officers participated and were able to help 90 children between the ages of 6 and 12-years-old. Additionally, they were able to shop for another 27 children at home.
To learn more about the Bourbonnais Police Department and its community policing, click here.
