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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Just inside the new Sports and Outdoors Academy, a group of excited young athletes are preparing to fill their shopping carts.

“I said what do you want to do? What do you really want to do? He said I want to play basketball and I want to box. So we got him into boxing and once basketball season starts, I’ll help him do that,” said parent, Lisa Stewart.

But as Lisa Stewart, and any parent can tell you, getting your kids into sports isn’t cheap. But seeing Dameyon’s eyes light up on Thursday is worth it.

“Wonderful, honey, just wonderful. I can not explain the words because I will cry and things, but joy. It’s really a joy.”

Dameyon and about 20 other kids outside of the Police Athletic League were given gift cards to shop for gear, and a few fun things, in the new store.

“It’s the community partnership, the enthusiasm of the kids, that really makes our days,” said Store Director, Justin Fleming.

And they weren’t doing it alone.

“They are our community. And as it sounds, these children will grow up and become the future of our community. So making a difference at a young age and showing them we don’t need to be afraid of the police, we want to be a role model. We want to make a positive impact on our lives,” said Kristyn Klingshirn, with the Lexington Police Department.

Each child teamed up with an officer, or in Dameyon’s case, two officers at the training academy to shop. And learn from each other.

“See that maybe we are making a little difference in the lives of these children. Even if it’s more the fact that they got a bike, than that they shopped with an official for that bike, does he care? It’s nice to see that we can bring them something positive.”

At least for Dameyon, it looks like he’s walking away with some great new shoes, and two new friends.

Those at Academy Sports and Outdoors also surprised the police department with a $2,000 donation. And each child received a $150 gift card.

The store is now open at 3220 Nicholasville Road.

Copyright 2022 WKYT. All rights reserved.

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