LIVE OAK — Grace Hagen was overcome with excitement when she first heard.

When Hagen, 9, was told in mid-December that she was going to get to “Shop with a Cop and Firefighter” on Thursday, she will filled with joy.

“I screamed to the top of my lungs,” Hagen said Thursday as she was shopping in Walmart with a member of the Live Oak Fire Department. “I was really happy.”

Hagen wasn’t alone, either. In all, nearly 40 children got to enjoy cookies and punch before taking a member of the Live Oak Police Department or Fire Department on a shopping spree through the store.

“As far as I’m concerned, the joy from this event is seeing the smile on those kids’ faces,” said David Shapiro, the LOPD’s Community Resource Officer. “Many would not have been able to go shopping like this without this.”

Bicycles were one of the favorite items for the children, with the toy aisles kept busy as well. Hagen, who was eager to get a phone before her mother told her no, picked up a new pair of light-up shoes.

“It was pretty cool,” she said of the experience.

While it was the second year for LOPD’s “Shop with a Cop” event at Walmart, it was the first time that LOFD joined in the fun.

“It’s just the need,” said Will Starling, training and safety officer with the LOFD. “These are good kids and good families that are just having a hard time right now.”

And much like LOFD’s partnership with Love INC for the LOVE Sparky’s Kids toy drive, when they saw a need and a way to give back, the firefighters were eager to help.

“This truly shows an effort between the public safety officers and the community to make a difference,” LOPD Chief Buddy Williams said. “But we couldn’t do it without the support of local businesses and private citizens.

“This town is amazing.”