SEE IT: Surprise shopping spree for Brooklyn kids

Event was courtesy of the 84th Precinct and Target

December 22, 2023 Mary Frost

Elizabeth, left, wanted clothes, while her friend Camylee was after Slime. Police Officer J. Solomon was having as much fun as the kids were. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Sometimes Santa’s elves wear badges marked “NYPD.”

Two dozen kids were treated to a surprise shopping spree at Downtown Brooklyn’s City Point Target on Tuesday in a Christmas event sponsored by the 84th Precinct in partnership with Target.

The children cheered when they were told they would each get a $100 gift certificate to buy anything their hearts wanted. Sipping hot chocolate from Starbucks, the kids were paired with jolly NYPD companions who helped them fill up their carts on the hour-long shopping expedition.

She found just what she wanted! Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

While many of the younger kids headed straight for the toy section, the older ones wanted clothes, including Myanna, age 10, who came fashionably dressed in a Christmas-themed red cowgirl hat. She picked out a white jacket.

Elizabeth, age 7, shopped with her friend from P.S. 307, Camylee, age 6. Their police helper Officer J. Solomon seemed to be having as much fun as they were.

“I’m getting clothes,” Elizabeth told the Brooklyn Eagle.

Camylee had a different idea. “I want to get some Slime!”

Bringing cheer and good community relations

Christmas came early to kids in the 84th Precinct. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

“The most important thing about this event is that we are getting together with the community and making sure that kids can have some gifts for Christmas this year,” said Detective Specialist Julius Hudson, Brooklyn North Community Affairs, who has been working with the precinct’s youth for years. “They can buy whatever they want with those certificates donated by Target.”

“What we try to do here at the 84th Precinct is to bring as much cheer to the children and adults at this time of year as we can. It’s all about holiday spirit and having fun,” said Mark Gelbs, president of the 84th Precinct Community Council.

Gelbs said 25 kids were selected from different institutions the Council has dealt with over the years. “For example, we have two cheerleader drill teams who come out every year at National Night Out. So we decided we would have three from each, and the qualifications were either financial or merit — they are doing really great work at school or in the community and with the drill team.”

Kids line up to get some hot chocolate before their shopping spree at Target. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

“I think it’s wonderful that these kids get a chance to be able to come and get a few little things that they might not be able to get,” Renee Flowers, director of the Gowanus Wildcats drill team, told the Eagle. “And it’s awesome that the police officers are dedicating their time. You know, a lot of people want to say bad things about the police. Come on! We have very good police officers. And I truly thank them.”

“I just want to say thank you for bringing us to shop with the cops,” said Wildcat team member Kaliah, a ninth-grader at Stephan T. Mather High School. Other Wildcats chosen for the shopping spree were her twin sister Kaylah, who attends the same high school, and Maylani, a ninth-grader at Humanities Repertory High School.

Two dozen kids were treated to a surprise shopping spree at Downtown Brooklyn’s City Point Target on Tuesday, in a Christmas event sponsored by the 84th Precinct in partnership with Target. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Rev. Zac Martin, pastor of Justice and Mercy at Next Step Community Church, said that three families were chosen from his ministry. “We ran a Community Helping Hands gift event where we provided toys to parents, and as part of the event, we held a drawing for three of these gift cards.”

“We are partners with our precinct and with Detective Hudson and Mark Gelbs, who organized this,” said Target Asset Protection Executive Idalia Carranza, security manager at Target, who oversaw the event with the assistance of Jacob Cohen, executive team leader of assets protection at the Atlantic Terminal Target. “We do this to show ties with the community and help the children get some joy within the holidays.”