Christmas came a little early this year for four Southfield High students.
They were selected to participate in “Shop With a Cop,” an annual event to help families in the community at the holidays.
Southfield High’s participants were seniors Victoria Hope, Janee Ruffins and Ivory Lattimore and sophomore K’vaughn Grier.
Police officers Jared Womble and Kelly Pate each drove two of the students to the Meijer store in Southfield and gave them each $200 to spend. The money was donated by the Southfield Police Department, said Womble.
Each recipient had to be recommended by their counselor.
Grier said, “I feel good because I deserved it. I got to receive a new tablet with the $200. With my new tablet, I’m going to read my online books for school.”
Lattimore said, “This was a fun, unexpected experience that I enjoyed.” She bought a Kindle reader and some headphones to listen to downloaded music. “I’m going to use my Kindle to download apps, music and read some of my online textbooks,” Lattimore said.
Ruffins bought sweaters, yoga pants and athletic wear. “I’m happy (my counselor) chose me to be a part of this for doing so well second card-marking.”
Ruffins picked out school supplies and clothing to help her succeed in school.
Hope, whose birthday is December 12 (the day after the shopping spree), said she felt like the trip was “a great early birthday present.”
Like Ruffins, Hope selected sweaters and yoga pants, but also purchased hair care products.
Womble said that in these times of racial tension between police officers and civilians, programs like this build much-needed unity in the community.