Kids shop for the holidays with Sault cops

Many more presents will be under the tree for a number of Sault Ste. Marie families thanks to local law enforcement.

The annual ‘Cops and Kids Holiday Shopping’ event took place this weekend, with 20 kids picking out gifts for the big day.

Many more presents will be under the tree for a number of Sault Ste. Marie families thanks to local law enforcement. (Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)It is a yearly tradition that dates back more than 40 years in the area.

Constable Lyndsey Pilkington with Sault police helped five-year-old Abby find some Barbie and Peppa Pig toys.

She told CTV News her love for kids brings her back every year to participate.

"Just coming here and seeing the smiles on their faces, getting to get some presents for themselves that they may have not had, it’s just very rewarding.” She said.

“(It) puts a smile on my face to do a good deed around the community."

The youth, aged five to 12, are chosen by the Children's Aid Society of Algoma.

The heart-warming event includes the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Senior Officers Association, Batchewana First Nation Police and the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre.

Each of the organizations donate funds to allow each child to spend up to $100 on presents.

With increased donations, many officers said they were happy to see that the total passed their initial fundraising goal so they could allow the children to overspend.

Organizing is done by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Association and President Josh Teresinski said they often see the true spirit of the holidays from the young ones who take part.

"We always tell them to go and get gifts for yourself, but they'll go and buy gifts for their parents, or brothers, and sisters, which is awesome too,” he said.

“You see the kids' feelings, they want to give gifts to everybody, and it’s not all about them."

Many more presents will be under the tree for a number of Sault Ste. Marie families thanks to local law enforcement. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

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Sault police chief Hugh Stevenson takes part every year and said he is happy to help make some young ones' Christmas Day a little brighter.

"Having raised twin boys that are now 28 I've got a great recollection of how they looked when they opened gifts, and that stuff never leaves you,” said Stevenson.

“It's just a really great event"

After the kids were finished shopping Sault area officers helped get the presents ready to be put under the tree. (Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)After the gifts were all picked out, the kids and law enforcement came together for a breakfast held by Walmart employees.

Officers then helped get the presents ready to be put under the tree, with wrapping paper and the rest of the supplies provided by the store.