SCOTTSBLUFF -- The Scottsbluff Police Department "Shop with a Cop" event is scheduled for December 7 at the Hampton Inn and Suites.

The national program started in 2004 when Louis Kloepper, a retired police officer in Dundee, Ill., treated 15 children to breakfast and shopping. He raised money for the event, as well as using some of his own. According to shopwithacopdundeetownship.org, half of the children were foster kids.

In the Scottsbluff program, the children who are selected are paired up with an officer and shop for gifts for family members. After shopping, the officer and children return to the Hampton Inn. The gifts are wrapped by a group of volunteers while the child and officer enjoy refreshments donated by the Hampton Inn. 

The program is still accepting monetary donations for shopping. Donations can be dropped at the Platte Valley Bank, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff Police Department or the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office.

On a national level, Shop with a Cop originated at the East Dundee Police Department. Officer Louis Kloepper used his own money to take a group of children to breakfast followed by Christmas shopping. The program was started with the intention of creating a positive experience for children by allowing them to shop with a police officer, fostering a sense of trust and community connection. School districts are asked to nominate children for the program.