Like many local agencies, the Marseilles and Seneca police departments helped fund holiday shopping trips for children in need.

On Dec. 12 and 19, the two departments participated in the program, taking 19 children shopping at the Ottawa Wal-Mart.

"We've been sponsoring 'Shop With a Cop' since 2005," Marseilles Police Chief Jim Hovious told The Times. "It's a program open to local kids ages kindergarten through eighth grade, kids who need help during the holidays. It's a program that helps children who wouldn't have much of a Christmas without it."

With the help of donations from businesses, churches, organizations and individuals, the children were able to shop with officers who volunteered their time.

"Because of the generosity of our community, each child was given $250 to spend on gifts," Hovious said. "Exelon also donated coats, hats and gloves for the kids. Our local business community, churches and residents have been so generous during all the years we have operated this program, we're just very appreciative of their help. Without it, this program would not be able to help so many kids year after year."

Seneca Police Chief Ray Meglan first heard about the program from a part-time Marseilles officer.

"Officer George Lamboley heard about 'Shop With a Cop' and suggested that it might be a good program for us to participate in," Meglan said. "We called the Marseilles Police Department to see how the program worked, then sent out letters in October to businesses, churches, organizations and individuals explaining it. We asked for their help. Almost everyone came back to us with an incredible show of support."

The Seneca community responded with a total donation of $3,612 plus additional unwrapped gifts. Casey's General Store and Belletini's Foods donated pizza and soft drinks for lunch at the station after the shopping trip was over.

"Because of the wonderful response from our community, each child has $300 to spend on Christmas," Meglan said. Nine children from Marseilles participated while 10 were chosen in Seneca.

Both departments looked to the elementary schools for help in selecting students. Names are solicited and an ad is placed in the newspaper. After applications are reviewed, students are selected and parents are called for permission.

"Every year we try to get new kids and it's always a tough choice," Hovious said. "The kids that we don't choose, we try to do something else for them."

Hovious said most of the children are very organized when it comes to knowing what they want to buy for gifts.

"It's really heartwarming, because almost all the kids get something for someone else," Hovious continued. "Every year we see them spend their money on others, not themselves. One year we had a girl who said her family didn't have a Christmas tree. We worked with Walmart and she was able to get a tree for her family."

The program is something everyone in the Marseilles Police Department looks forward to every year. After lunch and wrapping presents, both officers and kids stand in front of the station's Christmas tree for photos.

"We are policemen and we all have our own families, but this program is so important to all of us. Some of our own kids will take part in the day," Hovious continued. "I know that my own children look forward to helping out every year."

But almost as important as shopping, the program fosters relationships and helps children see policemen as people, not men and women who wear a uniform and just give out tickets or arrest people. During the time spent shopping, a connection is made between the child and the officer.

"Most of the kids we take shopping on this one day during the year are kids that have never had the opportunity to see police officers in a positive situation," Hovious said. "By us spending a little time with them, the kids get to see us in a different way."

Donations are accepted throughout the year. For more information, call Hovious at 815-791-2131 or Meglan at 815-357-8726.