With lights and sirens blaring, a fleet of Bonney Lake police cars descended on the Target Saturday morning. But this time, the men and women in blue were not trying to stop the bad guys, but help good kids with their Christmas shopping as part of the annual Shop with a Cop program.

After a quick picture with Santa and McGruff, students from the Sumner School District were given a $100 gift card, paired with a Bonney Lake Police officer – all volunteers – and sent off into the store to buy whatever they wished.

And while most of the kids made sure to get something for themselves, most of the carts at the check stands were piled high with presents for family and friends.

Cory Slamen, 8, for example, made sure to get gifts for his family, his best friend, his teacher and even used some of his funds to pick up a new bed for his cat.

“What’s great about this program is all these kids put their family members and friends ahead of themselves,” School Resource Officer and program coordinator Daron Wolschleger said.

Wolschleger, who estimated he had been involved in the program for 10 years, said there are no restrictions on what the kids can buy with their money and said this year police were able to do enough fundraising for the program to add an eleventh child to the roster.

“What a great year,” Wolschleger said when the shopping was done. “It just seems like it gets bigger and bigger every year.”

Money for the program comes entirely through contributions form the community. Wolschleger said he and a fellow officer set up a table in Target earlier in the fall and ask shoppers for donations.

Students are referred to the program from the Sumner School District and Wolschleger said while there is a need component to the selection process, the police also seek “good kids.”

Emails are then sent to the police department seeking volunteers, which this year produced an “overwhelming response” from those looking to be a part of the program.

“It’s nice to do something in the community other than enforcing the rules,” said Officer Robert Hoag, who also said it was amazing to watch the kids spend so much energy on buying for others.

Along with community donations, Wolschleger said Target makes a “significant donation” to the program, both in terms of money and in opening the store early to allow the shopping, as well as provided hot cocoa and popcorn for the kids and cops and helped wrap the presents to get them ready to go under the tree.

“This means so much to us and our community,” Store Manager Mindy Lewis said.

Lewis said the event also “re-energizes” employees and is a good reminder that the holiday season is about helping others.

“It makes you excited for the holiday season and for giving back,” she said.

Many of the parents and students agreed.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful and a huge help,” said Sandra Hall, who was shopping with her son Cyrus and Community Services Officer Steve Flaherty.

And while Josiah Hudson, 8, may have made sure to get himself a new Nerf gun, the majority of his cart was filled with wrapped boxes for his family.

“I felt really good,” he said.