Lehigh Township has launched a Shop with a Cop program. Police officers from the township accompany youth for some shopping at Kmart in Walnutport.

"We got a good response from the community. Businesses donated," said Det. Matt Enstrom.

Dave Coppola, Kmart manager, said he expects to see it grow in future years.

Among the organizations and businesses contributing are the Lehigh Township Police Association, Lehigh Township Lions Club, Blue Mountain Drive-In Restaurant, Susquehanna Bank, First Niagara Bank, Lehigh Valley Spinal Care, Michael Meyers, Friendly Food Market and three anonymous donors who each gave $100.

Meyers urged the police to begin the program this year instead of next, as had previously been under consideration.

Sports and dogs were subjects of conversation as Alex Jon Plummer Jr., Driftin Morti and Matt Mason waited for breakfast at the Blue Mountain Drive-In. They each chose hot chocolate with breakfast and two of them asked for extra whipped cream.

They had a list of relatives to buy for, but they were also permitted to choose gifts for themselves.

Gift wrapping is "our way of supporting them," said Coppola. "It is a very nice gesture to help the kids."