Shop with a Cop a hit

From left, Grand Coulee Fire Chief Ryan Fish, Ambulance Chief Rick Paris, Santa Claus (Chris Holman), Firefighter and EMT Merlee Liberty, and officer Matt Gilbert at the Coulee Wall Variety Store during last week's Shop with a Cop event, organized by Gilbert to help kids see police in a supportive, non-threatening setting. It was part of a day spent with kids. "We started the day at the Library, with GC Police and GCV Fire Fighters reading with the kids and showing off our Truck," the fire department's Facebook page reads. "We finished the day with Grand Coulee Police Officers helping kids shop with Cops/Fire fighters at Coulee Wall Variety Store. It was a great day in the Coulee with our members cooperating with our Police to make a fun day for local children." "It was a really great event and quite well supported by the community," Launi Ritter, from the store, wrote in an email note with the photo. "Huge kudos go to Officer Matt Gilbert for organizing and pulling it off. He really went over and above for these kids."

- submitted photo