Brandon Borden set out to shop yesterday with a few things in mind: a jacket, winter boots and a light sabre.
Armed with a $200 Halifax Shopping Centre gift card, the aspiring detective bought himself gifts that otherwise may not have made it under his tree this Christmas.
“It’s fun because I never got to do this before at all,” said the 11-year-old who just spent his first $34 on a new pair of grey and black boots.
More than 50 children shared the same experience as Borden at the shopping centre’s CopShop event.
Sporting blue uniforms and festive hats, members of the Halifax Regional Police helped chosen kids tick off toys, clothes and games from their wish lists.
Const. Phil Power, who at one point was playfully handcuffed to Borden, said the experience is hard to put into words.
“It’s so emotional … because you look and see how happy he is,” said Power, who’s a rookie blue. “I have four kids of my own so this hits home.”
The children were recommended by a variety of sources and were chosen based on need, recognition of specific academic or sports achievements or because of volunteer efforts, a release said.
Nate Sellers, 10, said after he bought some clothes and Star Wars paraphernalia, he was going to buy a surprise gift for his mother.
“I’m going to get her a new jacket,” said Sellers at his second store. “She doesn’t really get anything at Christmas.”
The idea originated at the Halifax Shopping Centre in 2005 and has since gone national.
For the past three years, nine other shopping centres in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario have held their own CopShop. About 300 children across the country will benefit from this year’s event.
