KONA – December 18, 2022 –

Bringing gifts and holiday joy to area teens and young children, Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH), TARGET Store in Kona, and various first responder agencies held its annual “Shop With A Cop” event this weekend.

Sixty-one children were selected for this year’s event on Saturday at the Target Kona store. The children were partnered with members of the Hawaii County Police Department, State Department of Public Safety Deputy-Sheriffs, State Department of Land and Natural Resources, and U.S. National Park Service. Each youth was given a gift card made possible through donations from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Target Corporation, Paying It Forward, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and others.

Hawaii Police made Keiki ID cards for the children and Target set up gift wrapping stations and provided breakfast for the first responders and other event volunteers.

This special event brings much-needed joy during the holidays, while fostering positive relationships between the youth and the officers and other first responders.