It's hard to believe, but it's Angel Tree time in Westminster. Christmas is just 68 days away.

The Westminster Police Department, Westminster Walmart and other sponsors will be seeking donations for the “Shop With A Cop” Angel Tree once again this year. 

The unveiling of the Angel Tree will take place on Oct. 25, 2012 at 8 a.m. at the Westminster Walmart, located on Woodward Drive.  

The tree will be decorated with gift tags (paper angels), each bearing a description of a need identified by a 2012 “Shop With A Cop” family.  Shoppers are asked to select an angel from the Angel Tree, purchase the identified gift, and leave the gift in the collection box within the store. 

These gifts will be collected, wrapped and presented to a “Shop With A Cop” family prior to the holidays.

This is the 9^th year for the “Shop With A Cop” program in Westminster. The “Shop With A Cop” program provides children with the means to shop with a member of the Westminster Police Department for gifts for their family members. 

The holiday “Shop With A Cop” event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. at the Westminster WalMart. 

The morning will begin with breakfast at McDonalds, shopping at Walmart, and then the children will go to the Westminster Senior Center to wrap their gifts, have lunch with their family, and enjoy a holiday party.

Since the inception of the program in 2004, more than 180 children from 86 local families have participated in the program. 

For additional information regarding the Angel Tree ceremony or our “Shop With A Cop” Program please contact Sergeant Keith Benfer, supervisor of the Community Education Section, at 410-857-9282.

Information in this article taken from a Westminster Police Department news release.