Milwaukee police officers deliver Christmas cheer to area families

On Christmas Eve, Milwaukee's finest made a special delivery to local families in need.

For the fifth year, District 5 police officers adopted families for Christmas. Detectives and the police academy joined this year's efforts allowing them to give gifts and food to nine local families.

One of them is Jennifer Williams. Her daughter died from cancer a few months ago and she now takes care of her eight grandchildren. Money is tight and the kids weren't expecting to have a Christmas this year.

But all that changed Wednesday morning. Using their own money, officers buy at least one need and one want for each person in the household.

Some of the families are chosen by officers, who they come across while on duty. Other families in need are referred by community partner agencies.

With smiles on the kids faces and a big burden lifted off of grandma, the family couldn't be more thankful for the generosity of the women and men in uniform, a group under tough scrutiny in the community.

\"It shows the kids that there's a caring side to them, that don't always believe what you hear because there's good in everybody,\" said Williams. \"So this shows them they're looking out for the community.\"

\"It's kind of hard not to be swayed by what you hear all the time and these families are no different, police officers are no different,\" said Capt. Thomas Stigler with the Milwaukee Police Department. \"It's good that we can come out and have a sit down and spend 10 to 15 minutes with a family and have some kind of connection.\"

District 5 police partner with Walmart, who donates the food for the annual adopt-a-family effort.

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