
Organizers say the annual event will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7th, at the Deming Walmart, when over 350 Luna County school children will be treated to a $50 holiday shopping spree.
Deming Public School personnel help select the students.
The children get to shop, accompanied by a law enforcement or public safety professional.
Santa is expected to make a surprise visit. Shop-With-A-Cop was started approximately 30 years ago by K-Mart employee Carmen Baca, who teamed up with Deming school staffer Jenny Cowles to give children in need within the school system a chance at having Christmas gifts.
At the same time, Baca and Cowles both believed it was important for children and police officers to get to know one another and to build a relationship.
Agencies participating in the event include the Luna County Sheriff’s Department, Deming Police Department, New Mexico State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, Deming Fire Department, and Luna County volunteer firefighters.