About 600 children paired with police officers for $75K Christmas shopping spree

Serenitie Johnston basked in the makeup aisles at Unity Walmart Wednesday, gathering up a lip plumper, red lipstick and brightly colored eye shadow palette.

“This way!” the 11-year-old girl exclaimed as state police Lt. Lauren Spallone followed behind with a full shopping cart. While Serenitie was in her element, Spallone worked with Johnny Thompkins, 8, to pare some of the toys he had thrown in the cart. A small rubber shark was definitely a keeper.

“I love it, it’s so much fun to see the kids’ faces, they get so excited,” Spallone said.

About 600 kids nominated by first responders get to spend $150 each this week and next during annual Shop With A Cop events at six Westmoreland County Walmart stores. Organizer state Trooper Steve Limani said he’s considering increasing the amount kids get to spend next year because of inflation driving up costs.

“They definitely don’t get as many items,” he said.

Limani is working with Walmart to help the kids get winter gear if they need it, costs of which are also rising. Shop With A Cop started in Westmoreland County in 2009 and helps children who were victim of a crime or met some other unfortunate circumstance during the year. They are paired with police officers for a shopping spree.

One child wanted to head to the kitchen items while several girls made a beeline for skin and hair care. Jeannette police Officer Bryan DeFelice sniffed candles with his shopping partner and Latrobe police Chief Richard Bosco asked the young girl he was paired with if she needed any hair styling tools.

Limani said he expected to spend $75,000 over the six events. He helps to organize several fundraisers throughout the year, and some were making donations at the store, such as the Westmoreland Professional Builders Association, which chipped in $5,000.

“This entire event is funded based off the people in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” he said.

Some of them include Westmoreland County fire departments — South Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg had a bit of a fundraising challenge that spilled over from last year, South Greensburg Councilman Jamie Bartley said.

“Then other departments, they started joining it,” said Bartley, who is chaplain at South Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, which donated enough for 25 kids to shop, beating Southwest Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, which supported 20 kids, though donations are still being accepted.