Billings Shop With a Cop Will Give 50 Local Kids A Special Christmas

Billings' Shop With a Cop program hits its 4th year.

We love how generous Montanans are when it comes to helping each other. Our town gets a lot of flack for the sometimes rough-around-the-edges elements that grab headlines, but there are so many examples of kindness and giving, like Billings Shop With a Cop.

Lights and sirens from MetraPark to Walmart, 12/16 from 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM.

The route is slightly different from 2022, according to a press release from the City of Billings. The BPD shared route info and the map (below) on its Facebook page. Residents along the route (or those who may not know what's going on) should be prepared for lots of sirens and flashing lights as the parade of 50 first responder vehicles passes through town from MetraPark to the West End Walmart

Traffic disruptions will be minimal during this short time frame (approximately 15 minutes) and the public is encouraged to cheer and wave to kids in the passing police and emergency vehicles as they head to Walmart for a shopping spree.

Fifty deserving kids get to spend $350 for Christmas.

Shop With a Cop has been done in many cities around the US, and we love to see how it continues to spread cheer here. BPD's Seargent Stovall launched the initiative four years ago as a way to help kids in need in the Billings area. The parade is now a collaboration among many local agencies, including  BPD, BFD, YCSO, MHP, Laurel PD, MSUB-PD, and MCS.

The children are selected from nominations submitted by CPS and YWCA and each kid gets to spend a couple of hours with positive role models heading into Christmas. Each child also receives $350 to spend on gifts for themselves or others at Walmart. Once the shopping is done, gifts will be wrapped and the kids will have a pizza lunch with the officers provided by Dax’s Wingz N Thingz and Aloha Coffee. Shop With a Cop is supported by private donations and fundraising efforts.