AUSTIN, Texas - It’s an annual holiday tradition in Austin which pairs kids with Austin police officers for a shopping spree. The 18^th annual Shop with a Cop event will look a little different this year, however.

Hosted by Amigos en Azul, or “Friends in Blue,” the shopping event is set for Saturday, December 5 at the Target store located in the Capital Plaza shopping center, 5621 North IH-35.

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, instead of being paired with police officers, children will show up at 11 a.m., and officers will hand out gift cards.

Parents will then have the option of entering the store and shopping or shopping online.

Santa Clause won’t be making an appearance this year. Rather than lunch being served, each child will receive a McDonald’s gift card that can be used at any time.

This year, about 50 students from Woodbridge and Cook elementary schools were chose to participate.

Amigos en Azul was founded in 1982 to bridge the gap between the Austin Police Department and the Hispanic community. The group awards scholarships, conducts outreach programs, and improves communication between Spanish speaking community members and police, among other activities.