The Conyers Police Department and the Conyers Wal-Mart are helping to help make this Christmas brighter for some local children.

The Conyers Police Department is participating in the second annual ‘Shop with a Cop' event on Dec. 19 in which police officers accompany children from families experiencing financial hardships to the Conyers Wal-Mart and shop for Christmas gifts.

Children participating in the program are recommended by police department members, city of Conyers employees, school system employees, social agencies and family shelters. Children participating need to be a resident of Rockdale County between the ages of three and 12, have a social or economic need, have not participated previously in the Shop with a Cop program and are not currently receiving support for Christmas through another charitable program.

"This is the second year the Conyers Police Department has participated in Shop with a Cop," said CPD Chief David Cathcart. "The Conyers Wal-Mart store is an excellent partner and Sergeant First Class Greg Carson spearheads this effort. Officers interact with children who may not have had a positive encounter with law enforcement up until now. The partnership between CPD and Wal-Mart makes sure that the children are afforded a more positive holiday experience."

The first "Shop with a Cop" last year program allowed 32 children to shop. This year's event is hoping that donations will allow about the same number of children or more to shop.

Shop with a Cop will take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 19 at the Conyers Wal-Mart. Breakfast will be provided by the store's McDonald's.

For more information on volunteering or donating to the Shop with a Cop program, contact Sgt. Greg Carson at 770-483-6600.