Cops help brighten Christmas for kids

Wednesday, December 8, 2004
This little miss checks out a pony, every little girl's dream, during the annual Shop With A Cop program.

Sparkling eyes and grins stretching from ear to ear seemed to be the order of the day as more than 80 youngsters prepared to Shop With A Cop Saturday morning.

The festivities began at 7 a.m. when youngsters and officers gathered at McDonald's on Airbase Road. As each child arrived, they were introduced to 'their' officer and the two had an opportunity to get to know one another during breakfast.

Santa arrived at the restaurant to present each child with a personal gift before everyone climbed into the patrol cars for a ride to Wal-Mart.

Lights were flashing and sirens blaring as the long caravan made its way through downtown Mountain Home. They drew plenty of attention as peace officers from the Mountain Home Police Department, the Elmore County Sheriff's Department, Fish and Game office, Mountain Home Air Force Base Security Police and the 726th Squadron, U.S. Forest Service, Citizens on Patrol, and even the Mountain Home Fire Department chauffeured the shoppers across town.

Arriving at Wal-Mart, the youngsters were bubbling over with energy and excitement. They stopped only long enough to grab shopping carts before making a beeline to the toy department.

For many of the youngsters the choices offered were almost overwhelming. Trying to make just the right selection was difficult. But soon plush stuffed toys, dolls, toy cars and trucks, Spiderman, and Lite Brite, along with games of all sorts, CDs and players and even DVDs found their way into many shopping carts.

Shopping carts were abandoned altogether by one or two youngsters as they picked out shiny new bikes.

The toy department may have been the busiest section, but some youngsters wanted to buy gifts for parents and siblings -- gloves for Dad, earrings or lotion for Mom. One young lady pointed out she purchased a Christmas present for her "very best friend."

With their selections made, they headed for the long check-out lines at the cashiers. Children and their mentors were then directed to the Holiday Shop where they could choose to have their gifts wrapped.

Volunteers from Pioneer Federal Credit Union and McDonald's were armed with wrapping paper, scissors, bows, tags and tape to man tables to help the youngsters prepare the gifts to put under the tree.

Before leaving the store, each child received a pass to Take One Cinema for a family of four for one movie, as well as a photo with Santa to help them remember the happiness of the day.

Most of the children are nominated for the program through the schools, said Sgt. Rick Viola, Mountain Home Police Department. The event costs approximately $100 per child, with each recipient receiving $50 to shop.

"Many times we see the kids passing up things they would really like to have for themselves, just so they can buy Christmas gifts for their families. And we often see officers digging into their own pockets to help out when the kids' money just can't stretch quite far enough," said Sgt. Rick Viola with the Mountain Home Police Department. The program is funded through donations especially from the business community.

"This community really came through for these kids," said Mary Morin with Pioneer Federal Credit Union, sponsor of the event for the past two years.

"We are really happy that Rick and Laytreda (Elmore County Sheriff Deputy Schultz) for opening up this program and allowing us to participate," said Morin. "Pioneer has been a long standing part of this community and we are excited to be a part of this community program."

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