The “Shop with a Cop” event took place Saturday morning at the Covington Walmart, and the success could be measure by both the smiles of the children shopping for gifts and the King County Sheriff’s deputies and officers helping them.

The program allowed children to go through the store with an officer or deputy and spend $50 for Christmas gifts.

The money for the program came principally from the Maple Valley Rotary and club members were on hand to assist the more than 400 children attending.

Along with sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals, Covington Police Chief Kevin Klason was on hand to guide children through the store.

Maple Valley Rotary members were also up early to help, including Patti Jenson, who was busy directing traffic and answering questions. Bill Woodcock, Bill VanRuff, John Phillips and others helped at the checkout stands. According to Sean Henderson the event has been going for 10 years.

Also helping with the fun were Maple Valley City Council members Victoria Laise Jonas and Noel Gerken.

The Greater Maple Valley Community Center and local school counselors assisted with organizing and coordinating families. The children came primarily from south King County communities.