Back in 2005, Constable Leanda LeVasseur formed a partnership with Lansdowne Place Mall to give approximately 25 elementary school children a chance to do some Christmas shopping. They are selected based on need, volunteer or academic achievement.
Each year, kids are picked up from their school in a limousine and taken to Lansdowne Place, where they are met by officers who become their personal shoppers for the day. Breakfast with Santa starts the day.
Lansdowne Place generously donates a $200 gift card to each child, who might arrive with a list of gifts they wish to purchase, or work with their officer to decide what to shop for. Stores in the Mall give the kids additional discounts and treats. Purchases are wrapped and tagged by mall staff and volunteers while students shop. Lunch caps off the event, followed by a limousine ride back to school.
Officers enjoy this event as much as the kids do. Many return every year and regard this event as the start of their holiday season.