Forty North Chicago kids get shopping trip
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com December 11, 2012 4:36PM
Updated: February 10, 2013 2:03AM
The North Chicago Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program will be treating over 40 children Dec. 15 to $100 gift cards at Walmart at Fountain Square in Waukegan.
Detective Debra Black said North Chicago police do it a little different than other towns where they have actually already set up a nonprofit group called Children of Purpose. Money for the children’s shopping spree comes out of that fund.
After shopping, the children’s parents will receive a food basket from the Northern Illinois Food Bank. There is also food and entertainment at the Forest City Community Center at Naval Station Great Lakes. Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim will join the officers.
Black said a number of restaurants, including Popeye’s, Brown’s Chicken, Rob’s Grill, Olive Garden and others, will be providing the dinner meal.
Funds were provided to the nonprofit by Mayor Leon Rockingham, FOP Lodge 131, North Shore Gas and police officers and city administrators. J.B. Taxi and Limo is providing the buses for transportation.
“We’ve reached out to everybody to do what they could to make this a success for our kids,” said Black.
