LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --  This holiday season, dozens of Louisville Metro Police officers are trading their squad cars for shopping carts in a special effort to support local children.

It is part of the annual "Shop with a Cop" event, where officers are shopping for kids in need.

The event, which has become a staple of the department’s holiday outreach, is now in full swing.

Officers from all eight divisions are participating in the initiative, which runs until Christmas.

Officer Tonya Rocky Landry, a veteran with LMPD's 7th Division, helps oversee the local "Shop with a Cop" efforts.

"Every year, it gets bigger," Landry said.

She is tasked with managing the event for her division, which serves children in need by providing them with holiday gifts.

With Christmas just around the corner, Landry said the department continues to receive last-minute requests.

"We just got a call recently from a gentleman who was a little stressed about how he's going to provide for his two kids," Landry said. "We will take care of them and help them when we can."

The event is sponsored by the Louisville Metro Police Foundation, which uses donations to fund the shopping spree.

The foundation helps provide toys for children, with a focus on family-oriented gifts.

"If a family has a couple of children, gifts are provided to all the children in the home," said Sherry Willen, with the Louisville Metro Police Foundation.

Willen said that officers often go above and beyond by using their own money to ensure every child has a special Christmas.

"Officers are very generous this time of year, especially during the holidays," Willen said.

For Landry and her colleagues, "Shop with a Cop" is a heartwarming tradition.

"Anytime we can participate in an event that outreaches and helps provide some relief to people, we're all about that," Landry said.

To find out how you can contribute to "Shop with a Cop," click here.

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