A group of law enforcement officers helped show kids the spirit of Christmas Saturday morning at the annual Shop with a Cop program.

The event pairs an officer with a Gainesville child for a shopping trip in time for Christmas.

"Basically, our recipients are chosen who would otherwise not get Christmas gifts due to temporary family financial setbacks," said Lowell McNeal, president of the Gainesville/Hall County Fraternal Order of Police. "Our members make their decision on their knowledge of kids in the community and recommendations from social services, teachers, school personnel and other sources."

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 41 has coordinated the event for the past several years.

The children can spend their allotted money on whatever they want — toys, clothes or school supplies. Also, they can spend an amount on their family members.

"Our members truly enjoy this annual event, and kids make their appreciation known," McNeal said. "It is really a rewarding experience for us, and we get a lot of positive feedback from the community year round as a result of the program."

Several officers were at the event to shop with the children and enjoy the time they spend with them.

"It’s just a way for us to give back to the community," said Kevin Holbrook, an officer with the Gainesville Police Department. This is the fourth year Holbrook has participated in Shop with a Cop.

"It’s a way to see us in a different light," he said. "It’s definitely something we look forward to all year long."

Austin Wallhausen, 5, was there with his mother, Pam, among the many children there to pick out gifts. He said he was getting toys and clothes.

His mother said she enjoyed "spending time with my son and showing him how others are in the giving spirit, and how it still lives."

The annual shopping trip isn’t the only community service event the Fraternal Order of Police organize, McNeal said.

"We also, during this time of year, gave away turkey dinners to 25 families," he said. They also hold Safe Kids Day in May and donate to other organizations in the Hall County area.

But on Saturday, the focus was on helping kids have a brighter holiday. "It perfectly matches our goal of fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community we serve," McNeal said.

They have held this event for several years and look forward to it each year.