California Officers Affected by Wildfires Humbled by "Shop for a Cop" Event

For years, police officers with the Paradise (CA) Police Department have participated in the "Shop with a Cop" campaign, affording less fortunate citizens the opportunity to put holiday gifts beneath the Christmas tree.

This year, roles have been reversed.

The Paradise Citizens Alliance sponsored an event this year dubbed "Shop for a Cop" in an effort to give back to the Paradise Police Department—many of whose employees lost their homes in the Camp Fire in early November.

According to KRCR-TV , everyone in the Paradise Police Department received a $320 gift card to spend at Target stores this holiday season.

"I just think it was a way for us to show them how much we appreciate them and what they do and understand what they've gone through," said Melissa Schuster, a Paradise Town Council member who was one of the organizers of the event.

The Paradise Citizens Alliance reportedly sponsored the event. Other contributors included the Chico Police Department Business Support Team, Rotary Club of Paradise, a volunteer firefighting group from Bakersfield, the North Valley Community Foundation, and generous individuals who wanted to give back to the department.