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SARASOTA – Early Saturday morning kids lined up outside the Target on Fruitville road to shop with a cop.

130 people participated in the seventh annual event. Kids and their families were paired up with a Sarasota Police officer and sent on a shopping spree.

From toys to clothes – the aisle were full with loaded shopping carts.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino says this is her favorite event of the year.

“It’s just such a positive way for the kids to see us, the community to see us. And know that we have hearts that we care and this is about giving back,” says DiPino. “I’m proud of the men and women of the Sarasota Police department and all of our volunteers who have come here to make a positive happy Christmas for all of the kids and families in our community.”

Sarasota Police partners with the Sarasota Housing Authority for this event. They’ve already started taking donations for next year.

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