Fifth Annual Shop with a Cop

Local volunteers are getting into the spirit of the season as they prepare for Kimball’s 5th Annual Shop with a Cop, which has been scheduled for Dec. 12 at 6 a.m.

Letters from Jim Reeves, school counselor at Mary Lynch, will be sent home on Nov. 30 with local elementary students inviting families to participate. Children will then be chosen by a committee from the letters that are returned to Reeves by Dec. 4.

With assistance from Reeves, coordinators Erin Heidemann, Shorty Kiefer and Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff hope to make this year’s event even bigger and better.

“The program has grown exponentially since I have been here, with the involvement of businesses and the community, so it flourishes,” Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff said. “It is a really cool project to be involved with. I am really grateful that this program, started by the police department, has done so well.”

Last year nearly 50 children were invited and more than 40 participated. In addition to the gift cards, families were given a $50 gift certificate from Main Street Market, which could be used to purchase the makings of a holiday dinner.

“This is really important to our community, allowing those less fortunate to enjoy the holiday more and it really promotes giving. Shop with a Cop lets the community know that our community really wants to promote that,” Huff said. “And that can be seen when the kids go shopping. They are, more so than not, focused on finding something special for mom, and just giving rather than getting. It is a joy to see.”

The excitement for children begins when, after breakfast, Santa presents each of them with a $100 gift card and they are treated to a private parade as they ride to Shopko in police cruisers, fire trucks and even ambulances with full lights and sirens.

This experience depends on financial support from the businesses and residents of the community. Donations are accepted throughout the year at the Kimball Police Department and with Kiefer at Curley’s Machine Shop.

“‘Shop with a Cop’ would not happen if it wasn’t for all the generous donors. The money we receive in donations is what makes all the difference to some of these kids and their families,” Heidemann said. “We would also not be successful without all of the volunteers willing to help out and for that we are grateful! It is great to see that the law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service workers look forward to ‘Shop with a Cop’ just as much (if not more than) the kids!”

Heidemann added that the KVFD ladies auxiliary are instrumental as well, preparing and serving the kids breakfast before the shopping extravaganza and wrapping the purchases afterwards.