Shop with a Cop Returns to Bring Holiday Joy to Billings Kids

Billings is getting ready for one of the sweetest traditions of the season, the 6th Annual Shop with a Cop event. It’s one of those moments that makes you fall in love with this community all over again.

First Responders Coming Together for Kids

On Saturday, December 13, the Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County’s first responders will team up to bring a little extra magic to local kids who could really use it this year. You’ll see familiar faces from BPD, BFD, YCSO, MHP, Laurel PD, MCS, and AMR all joining forces. Fifty children were chosen through schools and youth programs, and Saturday morning will be entirely about them.

A Lights and Sirens Parade to Start the Morning

About 50 emergency vehicles will leave the Metra around 9:00 a.m. in the lights-and-sirens procession and make their way to the west end Walmart by 9:15 a.m. The route is: Metra to Bench to Main to 1st Avenue North to Division to Montana to Laurel Road to King Avenue West, and finally, to Walmart. It’s short, it’s spirited, and yes, you might feel that little kid excitement again when you hear the sirens echo down the street. Expect a few brief traffic delays, but they’re worth it to bring a smile to these kids.

Billings Police Department via Facebook

Kids Get $350 to Make Christmas Bright

Once everyone arrives at Walmart, the real fun begins. Each child receives a $350 gift card to shop for Christmas gifts, whether that’s something for themselves, their siblings, or even their parents. Watching them decide what to buy is half the joy; they take this job seriously. When the shopping is done, volunteers will help wrap the gifts while the kids enjoy snacks and treats.

Wrapping Up the Event with Holiday Joy

Everything is expected to wrap up around 11:15 a.m., and Walmart will remain open as usual. But if you’re out and about, you’ll feel the buzz, the kind of energy that reminds you what this season is really about: connection, generosity, and community.

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Come Share the Magic Along the Route

If you have a few minutes Saturday morning, come stand along the route, wave, cheer, clap, whatever feels right. These kids remember the faces in the crowd. And honestly, we could all use more moments that feel this cheerful and hopeful as we head toward Christmas.

Struggling to Put Food on the Table? Here’s Where to Find Help in Billings

If you or someone you know is having a hard time keeping the pantry stocked, you’re not alone but help is closer than you think. From the Billings Food Bank to local churches, schools, and senior programs, these organizations are making sure no one in Yellowstone County goes hungry. Here’s where to find free groceries, hot meals, and community support when you need it most.

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor

12 Non-Perishable Foods Every Montanan Should Stock Up On Before Winter Hits

If you’ve lived through even one Montana winter, you know the rules: hope for sunshine, prepare for a blizzard. Whether you’re snowed in for a day or the power cuts out for a week, having the right pantry staples can make all the difference. Here are 12 shelf-stable foods every Montanan should stash before the roads turn to ice rinks.