ReindeerRun2011.wmv

POLICE HOST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SPREE FOR NEARLY 100 CHILDREN

(Palm Bay)--Dozens of Palm Bay Police officers and employees with assistance from the Palm Bay Fire-Rescue Department will answer a different call for service early Thursday morning when they escort nearly 100 children through the aisles of Wal-Mart for a unique Christmas shopping experience dubbed Operation Reindeer Run. The event begins with breakfast provided by Golden Corral followed by the arrival of some "special guests" including Santa and some of his friends.
Following breakfast police officers and department employees will escort the children through Wal-Mart as they each have a $100 gift card to purchase anything on their Christmas wish list. The children were selected through a partnership with the local schools and they were identified as being most worthy of the program. The funding for the Reindeer Run is through use of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund which is money acquired through the forfeited assets of criminals. The law requires a percentage of those funds be used for community programs such as the Reindeer Run. "It's
all about making a positive difference in the lives of as many children as possible," said Chief Doug Muldoon. "It is extremely rewarding for us when we see the smiles on their faces."
The Reindeer Run begins at 8 a.m. at the Palm Bay Road Wal-Mart. The Palm Bay Fire-Rescue Department will escort Santa and Mrs. Claus on one of its engines and other special characters will arrive to help.

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• ReindeerRun2011

[rwpb]

Very nice video. Looks like everyone had fun.