Denver police — taking what little time they have to spare before the holidays — brought 78 first-graders to a local bowling alley for a day of fun and community building. 

Denver Police Department teamed up with the Walmart Supercenter at 16746 E. Smoky Hill Road to hold a holiday party for the entire first-grade class from Stedman Elementary School on Saturday. The officers met the children at Bowlero Cherry Creek for a few hours of gifts and seasonal cheer.

“It’s really just a time to interact with the children and build some positive relationships with the children, families and school,” DPD Deputy Chief Joe Montoya said.

Walmart donated $5,000 to the department to purchase gifts for all 78 children. The students wrote in a list and officers and volunteers purchased and wrapped a gift off of it. The Denver Police Foundation then took care of the bowling alley and lunch.

Efforts like these go a long way to improving a child’s vision of police officers, according to Montoya. 

“We just want the children to see the police as people who are friendly and approachable, not someone to be afraid of,” he said. “They’re so innocent and they’re probably not paying much attention, but you just don’t want them to have that fear. Maybe these first interactions with police officers, under these circumstances, can be a good, positive start.”

Regarding the work to put on community events — like the Denver Days block party in August — are all thanks to a combined effort from the department and yearly volunteers, according to Montoya. 

“Our community relations team does an amazing job. We have a ton of volunteers that volunteer with the department throughout the year, too,” he added. “It takes everybody’s work to pitch in, but it’s worth it.”