There was a large police presence at Wal-Mart on Saturday morning, but there wasn't any emergency.

Lewisburg Police Department was taking their opportunity to serve the community instead of protecting it.

The event was the annual Cops For Kids day on which the department takes children in need to Wal-Mart to shop for Christmas.

Eligible children are identified through guidance counselors at the Lewisburg elementary schools and applications are sent home for parents to return.

Chief David Henley said that the number of kids was lower this year, which he saw as a good sign for Lewisburg as a whole.

In all, 119 children took part this year, down from as many as 150 in the past.

Each child is allotted a $100 budget to shop for themselves for Christmas presents. This year's total shopping came in at just over $12,000.

Most purchased toys but at least one bicycle made its way home to a child's Christmas morning. Some carts contained as many socks and clothes as toys.

Dozens of volunteers came to help the children shop. The Marshall County High School baseball team, the Sub Deb high school sorority, and the Cornersville High School football team joined other individuals to help the kids with their decisions.

It is not just about toys, however.

Captain Rebekah Mitchell has run the program for the department for at least 10 years and thanked all of the different groups and businesses that came together to make the event a success and more than just about presents.

The kids ate breakfast before and lunch after shopping thanks to Sonic at space provided by the Salvation Army at the Connelly Dream Center.

No child in need of a winter coat left the event without one, thanks in part to the area retiree local of the United Auto Workers Union who raised approximately $2,800 from members to purchase coats this year.

Comfort Research provided bean bag chairs for each child and the county school bus garage provided transportation.

The morning wasn't just about making a better Christmas for the children either.

Cornersville football coach Gerard Randolph thanked his team for their participation.

"You've made a difference in these kids lives," he said.

In the words of one LPD officer, "there were a lot of smiling faces here this morning," and that accomplished the department's goal.