NEWS RELEASE Date: December 5, 2011

Contact: Dawn Domrose

(630) 407-2010

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, the DuPage County Sheriff’s FOP Lodge # 109, and the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association joined together to make this Christmas a little brighter for children and their families this year.

Last Saturday, DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba, Sheriff’s Deputies, Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Officers from around the county and Sheriff’s Volunteers reached out and took 50 children shopping.

Each child was picked up at their residence by the officers and then all the agencies met at the Glen Ellyn Park District Ackerman Park where the children had breakfast and played in the gym. At 9:00 am over fifty (65) police cars proceeded one-by-one to the Bloomingdale Meijer.

Each child was accompanied by the uniformed officers who helped them shop. The child was able to spend $125.00 dollars which came from citizen donations to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #109. After the shopping, the officers helped the child wrap their gifts with the help of the Milton Township CERT Team members and the child and officer had their photo taken with Santa.

“This one-on-one opportunity gave children and law enforcement a way to create a positive bonding experience which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. This unique experience helped to provide a little joy this Christmas to those who need it most,” Sheriff Zaruba said.

Participating Agencies

Addison Police Department Glendale Heights Police Department Bensenville Police Department Hinsdale Police Department

Carol Stream Police Department Oakbrook Police Department

DuPage County Sheriff’s Office West Chicago Police Department

Elmhurst Police Department Winfield Police Department

Glen Ellyn Police Department Wooddale Police Department