Wood County, area police participate in Cops and Kids

Cygnet, Ohio, resident Brooklyn McKee, 7, shops with Owens Community College police officer Luis Munguia during a shopping spree at Meijer in Rossford, Ohio.

The Wood County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #109 hosted its annual Cops and Kids event on Saturday.

Local children from Wood County were selected to receive a shopping spree at Meijer's on Route 20 in Rossford . The children are from families with financial difficulties and could use some help to make the holiday season a little brighter.

Police officers paired up with a child to use a $100 gift card. Children had to first pick out a new winter jacket and boots, but were then allowed to spend the remainder of the money whatever they had on their Christmas list.

Officers sold raffle tickets for $5 and accepted donations to cover the $100-per-child goal. About 100 kids participated.

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According to FOP President Dan Van Vorhis, the program is an opportunity for children to interact with police officers in a positive experience.

Co-coordinators for Cops and Kids were Perrysburg Township Officer Rachel Bernhard, Northwood Police Sgt. Doug Hubaker, Haskins Police Officer Lorraine Stiefel, and Rossford Police Officer Jody Johnson.