LOPD Chief Buddy Williams shops with a family.   

LIVE OAK, Fla. — When 6-year-old Alana Loges heard the good news, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

She was one of 10 children chosen to ‘shop with cops’, an invitation to go Christmas shopping with Live Oak police officers Monday.

Loges found out one week before the event. She waited anxiously, counting down the days with her mother, Susan.

When the big day final came, Alana entered Walmart with a big smile, heading straight to her favorite toys — the Legos.

“We are always grateful to have the opportunity to reach out to help people in our community. It

personally touches my heart to see the smile on the face of a child,” said LOPD officer David Shapiro.

It was the first ‘shop with cops’ held by the LOPD. Each child was given $100 to spend on Christmas presents.

“I think that it is important for the public to recognize that the officers of the Live Oak Police Department do care about people and our role goes far and beyond protect and serve,” Shapiro said. “We are part of the community.”

Funds were provided by proceeds from the Live Oak Community Charity Ball allocated to the Community Outreach Programs of the Live Oak Police Department.