Crime & Safety

Local Police Need Backup For 2018 'Shop With A Cop' Event

The annual Woodinville police charity event is biger than expected, and volunteers need donations more than ever.

WOODINVILLE, WA - Woodinville police are putting out a call for backup. The department's annual Shop With a Cop event is bigger than ever this year, and that means police need help to pay for the increase - and to take kids shopping.

Each year, Woodinville police take a handful of needy kids shopping for Christmas. Police began the practice a few years ago with just five kids. This year, police were planning on a record-high 70 to 80 kids to shop for.

Unexpectedly, 100 kids signed up for the event this year.

Find out what's happening in Woodinvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

On top of that, Woodinville police will be shopping for a Sammamish family hit by tragedy. A Sammamish deputy asked if Woodinville police could help six kids whose father recently died unexpectedly.

Woodinville is looking for extra donations, but also people to volunteer to take kids shopping.

Find out what's happening in Woodinvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"I've sent out a request to surrounding law enforcement agencies asking for additional officers to shop with the kids. Of course, all of the officers volunteer their time," Woodinville police Chief Katie Larson wrote on Facebook.

Interested in helping out? All donations made to the Woodpile fire Firefighters For Good account in December will go to the Shop With a Cop event. You can donate here.

Image courtesy Woodinville police

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Woodinville