Sleepy-eyed parents and wide-eyed children rushed into the SuperTarget store at 7 a.m. Monday, on their way to find the coveted toys and needed clothes that might have been out of their reach.

DRC/Barron Ludlum

Denton police Reserve Officer Keith Marvin helps Kobe Stewart, 7, pick out Christmas presents in the annual “Shop With a Cop” program Monday morning at SuperTarget.

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They were greeted by about 30 Denton police employees and officers who were anxious to help them get the most for their allotted $120 in the annual Christmas “Shop With a Cop” program.

“I think all the police are here,” said one little girl, looking at the line of uniformed officers and support staff and detectives in plain clothes — including Police Chief Roy Minter — waiting to escort them through the big store that was open early just for them.

This is the 18th year the Denton Police Association has sponsored the program that helps needy families with Christmas, said Officer Doug Boydston, who heads the program every year. Funds given by the public helped them provide toys and clothing for 100 children, he said.

He had expected donations from businesses and individuals to be down this year because of the economy. That was not the case.

“I’ve been impressed with the generosity of businesses and individuals — lots of individuals,” he said. “And Target this year gave us $2,500 worth of gift cards to use in the store.”

Susan Poovey, human resources director at the Denton SuperTarget, said the money is a grant that Target has set aside for the police project.

“Mama, is this my size?” asked a chubby little girl, pulling a knit top off a rack. She was carrying her new doll in her arms, and dealing with the clothing was awkward.

Each child was allowed $60 worth of toys and $60 worth of clothing, so parents sometimes had to deal with saying no to some toys the child wants.

“It’s neat watching the kids,” said Detective Keith Martin. “They know they’re coming for toys and they don’t grasp that they can’t have every one. Then Mom has to hold up three toys and say, ‘OK, you can have two of these.”’

Lt. Mike Beautner stood by with a pocket calculator to help with the financial decisions.

“Ewww, underwear,” one little boy murmured, but his mother prevailed, and a package of briefs made it into his basket.

Interfaith Ministries picks the families from applications for this project and other charities at Christmas. Ann Pape of Interfaith Ministries said the average client this year is 40 percent below the poverty level.

“We’re seeing people who’ve never needed help before,” she said. “They’ve lost their jobs. They’ve lost their homes.”

Store manager John Vinson said his employees are happy to come in early to ring up the purchases.

“The police really support this. They make it easy for us,” he said. “Look at them over there bagging for us.”

Christmas is a time of giving, and even the children had the spirit. Sandy Richardson, who works in police records, smiled as she talked about the family she was helping.

“That little boy said, ‘Mommy, can I get my friend a gift?’ That’s too sweet,” she said.

DONNA FIELDER can be reached at 940-566-6885. Her e-mail address is dfielder@dentonrc.com .