(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) West Valley City Police officer Franco Libertini picks out clothes for a young girl as part of the West Valley City Giving Tree at Valley Fair Mall on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, benefiting 176 youth from 58 families. Those interested in supporting the program can choose and check out a name from the trees located near the Valley Fair Mall Customer Service Center; service representatives will provide a list of the child’s needs and holiday wishes. Shoppers are then asked to return the unwrapped gifts to the desk before Dec. 15. The West Valley City Police Department’s Community Services Section started the tradition several years ago when a family they were working with experienced multiple tragedies and were left with no resources for the holidays. The department now coordinates with a local organization that works with low-income families in the city to choose names for the tree.

West Valley cops shop for tots in annual holiday tradition

The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Nov 27 2012 02:06 pm • Last Updated Nov 27 2012 09:50 pm

Valley Fair Mall was crawling with cops Tuesday, but there was nary a criminal in sight. The West Valley City police department was kicking off an annual holiday tradition with a shopping expedition.

The city’s Giving Tree will benefit 176 youth from 58 West Valley City families this year. The program was established by the police department’s Comunity Services Section several years ago when a family they were working with need help for the holidays. Now the department coordinates annually with a local organization that works with low-income families.

Beginning Tuesday, anyone interested in supporting the program can choose a name from trees located near the Valley Fair Mall Customer Service Center; service representatives will then provide a list of the child’s needs and holiday wishes. Shoppers are asked to return the unwrapped gifts to the desk before Dec. 15.

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