About 115 Bismarck and Mandan area children have been selected to "Shop with a Cop" today and next Saturday.

Bismarck Police Officer John Brocker, who serves as president of Missouri Valley Lodge No. 3 of the Fraternal Order of Police, said about 50 kids will shop with area law enforcement officers today at the north Wal-Mart, followed by lunch at McDonald's.

Another group of children will shop with officers next Saturday at the south Wal-Mart.

Each child gets $50 to spend at Wal-Mart.

Brocker said the children are nominated through their schools, and social services and the Police Youth Bureau also give information on children to participate.

He said the selected children are ones who are facing a hard holiday season, such as kids from low-income families, foster homes or children who have faced hardships in the past year.

Shop with a Cop is an annual Fraternal Order of Police event sponsored by donations from businesses, civic organizations and private citizens.

- Jenny Michael