Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

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News Release

Date: December 23, 2008
Contact: Petty Officer Tara Molle
(206) 220-7237

Coast Guard members participate in "Shop With A Cop" program

Photos available

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Petty Officer Third Class Leland Shultz, an Electronics Technician on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, helps brothers Kainen and Kai Warren choose what toys they want for Christmas during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or a military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Petty Officer Third Class Leland Shultz, an Electronics Technician on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, helps brothers Kainen and Kai Warren choose what toys they want for Christmas during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or a military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Seaman John Rader, a member on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, watches while sisters Maria and Monica Deluna get their presents wrapped during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter, or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Seaman John Rader, a member on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, watches while sisters Maria and Monica Deluna get their presents wrapped during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter, or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

 In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Fireman Alex Vindas Cruz, Seaman Techniel Laborce and Chief Warrant Officer Ken Gustafson, members from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, help serve food to children during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Fireman Alex Vindas Cruz, Seaman Techniel Laborce and Chief Warrant Officer Ken Gustafson, members from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, help serve food to children during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Petty Officer First Class Nick Orozco, a Damage Controlman on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, gives some cookies to Monica Deluna during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Petty Officer First Class Nick Orozco, a Damage Controlman on board the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, gives some cookies to Monica Deluna during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

 In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Chief Warrant Officer Ken Gustafson from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, makes sandwiches for children during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, Chief Warrant Officer Ken Gustafson from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, makes sandwiches for children during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program at a retail store in Poulsbo, Wash., December 13, 2008. The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with an opportunity to shop at a local retail store with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or military member. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

SEATTLE— Crewmen from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, homeported in Seattle, helped make Christmas come a little earlier for several disadvantaged children and teens December 13, 2008 during the annual "Shop With A Cop" program in Poulsbo, Wash.

The "Shop With A Cop" program provides disadvantaged children with a $100 gift card to purchase whatever they would like. Each child gets to shop with a police officer, firefighter or a military member during the day's event. 

The children and teens are also provided with free gift wrapping for all of their gifts, free food and drink and an opportunity to have their pictures taken with Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf.

"This is the second year that we have been able to do this," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Hotai, a electronics technician on the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett. "It's great to be able to do it again. We had a lot more Coast Guard members volunteer this year. Being with the kids gives us a great satisfaction knowing that we helped make their Christmas's a little brighter."

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