It’s that magical morning December 25 when children all over awaken with excited anticipation to discover what Santa has left for them under the tree. But, suppose there is no magic in this house. Mom and dad, or maybe just mom or just dad, have warned the children already – “Santa may not make it to our house this year.”

Thanks to “Shop With A Cop,” that scenario will not play out in as many homes as it might have. Santa is receiving a little help this year, as in past years. Police officers from around the county picked up children from families facing a tough time in a tough economy and took the children out shopping Sunday.

The “Shop With A Cop” program, along with assistance from groups such as MC3 – a business networking group affiliated with the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce – gave each child $150 to shop with. Children also received a hat, coat, boots and gloves.

Members of MC3, as well as other volunteers, several from Kohl’s department store and Prudential First Realty of McHenry, were on hand at 31 North Banquet Hall to wrap the presents as the officers sat down for breakfast with the children they escorted. Bernice Zubrzycki, the owner of 31 North, donated the use of the hall and breakfast. Her staff volunteered to serve the food and wait tables for the officers, children and wrappers alike.

In the McHenry area, 95 children were taken to the new Walmart on Route 31 where they picked out presents for their families. Often, it required some prodding from their constable chaperones before the children would dare to pick out something for themselves. Officers in other towns around the county did the same thing.

Patrolman Dan Wrobleski, of the Richmond Police Department, said his department has participated in the program at least for the 21 years he’s been with the force – almost certainly longer.

“We usually have two or three children from our town,” Wrobleski said. “This year, we had seven. This is the biggest group we’ve ever had.”

Officer John Adams, of the McHenry Police Department, said the MC3 group raised $13,910. Walmart also contributed $5,000 to “Shop With A Cop” during its recent grand opening. Walmart donated $5,000 each to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Operation Click, a seatbelt and safe driving awareness program for new drivers in Crystal Lake, as well.

Another group that pitched in to chaperone young Christmas shoppers was the Richmond Illinois Citizen’s Police Academy. Terry Zigante, a new member of the organization, said they volunteer to help the police and the community.

“This is definitely something I will take with me through the year,” Zigante said of the experience. “I hope they (the children) will think, in years to come, ‘My family struggled and there was somebody there for me.’”