'Shop With A Cop' Just Won't Stop

"Shop With a Cop" will continue with or without the local Shopko store.

Erin Heidemann, head of the "Shop With a Cop" annual event in Kimball, said there will continue to be a "Shop With a Cop" next year, but it is just too early in the planning stages to know the details.

Late last week, department store chain Shopko made the news of the closure of their stores nationwide.

According to a report from the Lincoln Journal-Star, Shopko, a Wisconsin-based company, plans to close 39 stores nationwide, including the Kimball store.

"We are hoping to be able to do something next year with downtown businesses," Heidemann said. "We have spoken with with several businesses already, and they are wanting to move forward.

"This program will continue to go on with or without Shopko. This is such a great event that we are fortunate enough to have and be able to continue. The money will remain in the community."

As for "Shop With a Cop," this year Heidemann said funds were lower than past years. The number of kids taken this year went down to 32 from 50 in the previous year. However, after the 32 children were chosen, more funds for the event came through.

Heidemann said their will be a "Shop With a Cop" Part 2 on Friday, Dec. 21 in the morning for an additional 18 students. More information will be given through the school in the upcoming weeks.

Emergency vehicles lined Chestnut Street with their sirens blaring and lights flashing as usual this year to make the short ride to Shopko to begin shopping. Children from Mary Lynch Elementary gathered with the emergency personnel of Kimball for a group photo before the doors opened.

Once the gifts were purchased, the wrapping began at the fire hall before the parents arrived.

"The kids were very excited, and we all had a great time. Thank you to the many volunteers and Erin for organizing it this year," Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer said.