Nearly 30 Albuquerque families are having a brighter holiday season thanks to Sunday’s 28th annual Cops for Kids event Sunday, Dec. 11.
The day started off at 8 a.m. at Silva Lanes, with Santa and Mrs. Claus flying in on the Albuquerque Police Department’s helicopter. There, the kids had breakfast, bowled and participated in arts and crafts.
At 11:15 a.m., a police escort — including lights and sirens — brought the party to the Walmart at 8000 Academy Road NE. There, each child was provided with a $100 gift card to shop with.
A look at Cops for Kids activities
“The whole program is funded with donations,” said Sonya Marquez, APD Crime Stopper liaison. She said that Parnall Law Firm and the Rio Rancho Gladiators were major sponsors with the rest of the funds being donated from community and other business donations.
She said Cops for Kids get referrals from the Aluquerque Public Schools Title I program, and the participants are randomly selected from that list. This year, the program helped 61 kids from 28 families. A total of 60 officers from APD, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, University of New Mexico Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office participated as well.
The day finished up with lunch at Dion’s.
