GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.

50 law enforcement officers from the Grand Valley each paired with a student from a local elementary school taking on a day of holiday shopping for family and friends in the 29th annual Shop with a Cop.

The event kicked off at the Mesa Mall on Thursday and runs over the course of two days in December.

Each school selects two 5th graders based on need, and each kid gets $225 for shopping, but that’s not all.

The mall donates wrapping supplies, while volunteers wrap the gifts. McDonald’s donates breakfast, and The Dugout Arcade and Cafe inside the mall hosts lunch, while also providing each kid with a game card to play free games.

The goal is to help kids in need experience the happiest holiday possible which is a mission shared by one officer who says he enjoys the gift of making a difference. Officer Tim Litzau, with the Grand Junction Police Department says, “It’s great for us to not only spend time with them, and have a positive interaction with them, but also do something nice for their family.”

Silver Dupont is shopping with Officer Litzau, and the selfless 5th grader with a heart of gold got so caught up thinking of others, she forgot about yourself.

This is the 29th year the Grand Junction Police Department has hosted the event, but other law enforcement agencies are invited to help a child who needs a little extra help this Christmas.