Sirens and laughter filled the air Dec. 4 as children arrived on school buses, escorted by police vehicles, to Burlington in Whitehall Township. With gift cards in hand, the children got off the buses with their police “buddy” — and the shopping began!

Whitehall-Coplay School District has been coordinating the annual Zephyr holiday event, also known as Shop with a Cop, for three years. WCSD, Burlington, Whitehall Township Police Department, Coplay Borough Police Department, Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Health Lehigh Valley Hospital Public Safety and Fellowship Community, plus other community organizations and businesses, all participate in making this a special event.

Students in the WCSD who have faced challenges over the past year, such as losing a parent, financial insecurity, a family member deployed, etc., are invited to participate in this event.

Fellowship Community Vice President of Marketing and Development Kelly Gould said, “This special event is designed to foster relationships with law enforcement and local youth while helping families in need during the holidays.”

School bus drivers Amanda Drey, Jennifer Mullner and Barbara Heffintrayer unanimously agree this is one event they absolutely enjoy, even volunteering to help when they aren’t scheduled to drive.

“The time students spend with the officers and community volunteers is welcoming and social,” Gould added. “They have a common purpose — and that is to shop!”

Students start the event with shopping at Burlington. After shopping, the students are treated to lunch, gift wrapping, decorating cookies and doughnuts and meeting Santa at Fellowship Community.

It is a truly festive and rewarding day for all.