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St. Pete police officers take kids in need Christmas shopping

Posted at 12:23 PM, Dec 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-06 18:28:34-05

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Kids in the St. Petersburg community who may not receive any presents this holiday season are now guaranteed gifts. This year, police officers will get to be holiday heroes. 

It’s a shopping spree that may mean even more to the police officers who are picking out the presents than the kids receiving them. It’s all made possible by an anonymous donor.

"He came to us and said I want to help you guys continue to bridge the gap in the community so he donated some funds to us," Chief Anthony Holloway said.

That $10,000 donation is allowing St. Pete police to shop for families in need. They’re donating gifts to CASA, Police Athletic League, and to foster kids. Officers can also hand out toys when they see fit.

"When they see a family in need they can come back to the station pick up a toy they can pick up a gift certificate to go back and bring some joy to that family," Chief Holloway said.

The chief said, they’re looking to help single parents and families who just can’t spend money on anything other than necessities. 

"This just helps us to reach out to those families, and just bring that little something so the kids have something they can open up Christmas day," he said.