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'Heroes & Helpers' Pairs Cops With Students For Holiday Shopping Trip

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's a shopping trip most kids don't get to do—going in and out of the isles of Target, picking out holiday gifts with the help of a uniformed police officer.

The Miami-Dade Police Department, Midwest District and Target, in Westchester, hosted the "Heroes & Helpers" event which is set-up to help some students from Banyan and Emerson Elementary purchase gifts for the holidays.

CLICK HERE To Watch MaryAnn Martinez's Report

The students given the gift cards, donated by Target, were chosen because they are in-need, or as a reward for their academic success.

Jada, 7, was paired with Miami-Dade Officer Jose Trujillo.

"Jada decided to get her little sister a present along with getting herself some presents so she's also in the spirit of sharing," said Officer Trujillo.

The officers helped the students find toys—even aided in price-checking to make sure their money went a long way.

All the officers involved in the event patrol the area. They said it's extra special to be able to help the kids--it's an opportunity for the students to see police officers in a positive light.

"So it's more of a one-on-one instead of just watching that police car drive-by or that police car showing up when unfortunately things go wrong," Officer Trujillo said. "Now she sees the police car show up for something positive."

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