For more information about organizations that will help local families with the holidays, see our guide.

MONROE — Thirty-five children were escorted by police today into a Target and given one command: Spend $100 on whatever you want.

Officers from Monroe, Highway Patrol, Stallings, Union County and Wingate came out for the Fraternal Order of Police’s “Shop with a Cop” event at the Wesley Chapel store Thursday. Each was paired up to shop with a disadvantaged child from the area, who had been given $50 to spend on clothing and $50 for toys.

“I’m not sure who had more fun, the officers or the children,” said Lt. Bobby Manus of the Monroe Police Department. “It’s just really fun to watch their eyes light up.”

The event was in danger of being cancelled this year after former president Rich Davis was found to have embezzled at least $45,000 over several years.

But a plea deal with the district attorney’s office meant the club was reimbursed for the embezzled funds by the end of

October.

“It was such a blessing. We were glad to have all that legal process over with,” Margaret Derange, Lodge 19 Monroe Union Secretary of Treasure.

The club still faces financial burdens — Davis is also accused of failing to file the group’s taxes since 2002, Derange said — but Thursday it was all about relationship building between the officers and children.

“Not all kids have a positive relationship with officers because they haven’t seen the good things,” Derange said. “This shows that our job is to protect them in the community and that we do love and care for them.”