Cops treat kids to shopping and cruiser ride

(Back row, l-r) Police Chief Michael Swanson, Officer Jacob Totten, Officer Anthony Padula, Officer Thomas Randolph, Officer Shelby Noffsinger and Officer Michael Testa gather around Santa and the children at the Christmas With a Cop event.

Baby Yoda was the favorite toy chosen by local children who went shopping with area police officers for the Christmas With a Cop program. One child asked for and received a BMX mountain bike.

Richfield officers Anthony Padula, Shelby Noffsinger, Thomas Randolph, Michael Testa and his spouse, Jacob Totten and his spouse, and Chief Michael Swanson volunteered their time to take nine children from Richfield on their half-day adventure with a cop.

The children rode in a police cruiser to the Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center for breakfast and a visit with Santa. The officers then took the children shopping at the Fairlawn Walmart where they were also treated to Subway sandwiches and snacks.

Officer Thomas Randolph (r), takes two young girls to visit with Santa at Fairlawn Community Center.  Photos submitted.

Other police departments that participated were from Akron, Bath, Copley, Fairlawn, Akron Children’s Hospital, Summa Hospital, Summit County Sheriff’s office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Akron Metro Transit and University of Akron. A total of 148 kids from Summit County were treated to the adventure.

World Truck and Towing provided most of the funds for the Richfield children. Officers Randolph and Noffsinger also waited tables at an Applebee’s restaurant, which donated a percentage of the receipts to the program. ∞

Featured Photo: Officer Shelby Noffsinger works on a project with two young girls who participated in Christmas With a Cop.