On Sunday, a remarkable event took place as 86 officers from various law enforcement agencies joined 86 kids at Main Event Albuquerque. This annual "Cops for Kids" event, organized by the Albuquerque Police Department and Metro Crime Stoppers, brought together underprivileged children and police officers for a day filled with fun and togetherness.

"Police and Kids Unite in a Day of Christmas Cheer"

Morning Fun at Main Event

The officers and children spent their morning engaged in a variety of activities at Main Event. Arcade games buzzed with excitement, laser tag battles raged, and bowling lanes echoed with laughter. It was a sight to behold as these young ones and the police officers formed bonds while having a great time.This sense of unity was further enhanced when Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made a surprise appearance, landing in an Albuquerque Police Department helicopter in the parking lot. It was a moment that brought even more joy to the children's faces.

Shopping Spree at Walmart

After the morning of fun, the officers loaded the kids into their squad cars and drove them to the Walmart at 8000 Academy NE. Alicia Hernandez, a Metro Crime Stoppers coordinator, had spent most of the year preparing and fundraising for this event. Seeing the kids' happiness was worth all the stress for her.Each child was given a $100 Walmart gift card, a shopping cart, and the freedom to buy whatever they wanted. Nevan Martinez, 12, was a prime example of this. He was darting from department to department, with Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Thomas Salgado in hot pursuit. Martinez wanted to buy some slippers for his dad whose old pair had recently broken. He said, "(My dad) is always getting us what we want, and all these years, I’ve never given him anything for Christmas, so this year, I wanted to give him something."In the electronics department, Jamarcus Velez, 11, was also busy stacking his shopping cart with gifts for his mother. When asked why he was only shopping for his family and not himself, he simply replied, "Because I love them."

The Impact on Everyone

This selfless nature of the kids spending their gift cards on family members was common throughout the day. Hernandez noted that this is a standard part of every year's event. "They shop for their siblings and their mom and spend their gift cards on other people," she said. "This might be the only Christmas (these kids) get, but they’re not selfish."The impact of the day's events was not limited to the children and their families. The police officers who participated were also deeply moved by the event's effect on the children and the community. Andrea Padilla, a police officer with APD, said, "I love community engagement events, especially this one. Just seeing the kids’ faces light up when we play games with them and when we bring them to the store is a wonderful experience."This event truly showed the power of unity and giving during the Christmas season, bringing together law enforcement and the community in a way that will be remembered for years to come.