Shopko Left, 'Shop With A Cop' Did Not

Kimball's annual "Shop with a Cop" event is now accepting donations for this year's activities to be held on Dec. 14.

This year's event will be different than those held in the past in conjunction with local businesses Pamida and Shopko. Previously, the retail department stores would provide gift cards that children in need could use to purchase holiday gifts for their families.

As both stores have gone out of business and left the Kimball area, they are no longer available to sponsor the Shop with a Cop program.

However, according to Erin Heidemann, volunteer coordinator, the program will not end.

"We will still continue to keep local businesses involved with this program," she said. "It will continue without Shopko."

Shop with a Cop was organized to provide a Christmas shopping opportunity for those in need while creating positive relationships with law enforcement. This type of event is held during the holiday season in many communities throughout the country.

The 2019 event in Kimball will be slightly different, as the program evolves with new resources.

"Participants will no longer be selected according to need, but the program will be a reward, and a chance to enjoy a fun afternoon with local emergency service workers," said Heidemann.

Teachers and staff will nominate and select students from the first through sixth grades at Mary Lynch Elementary School. Parents will be notified by the school of their child's selection for participation in the Shop with a Cop event.

Selected students and their parents will check in at the Kimball Fire Department at 11 a.m. on December 14, 2019, where department staff will prepare lunch for the group. Christmas gifts purchased exclusively for the event from local businesses will be distributed. This year, Brown Woodworking, Hometown Hardware, AW Laser Art, Main Street Market, Bemis Drug, Goodhand Theater and Judie Brighton are supporting the event.

After lunch, the students will be transported in emergency service vehicles, complete with lights and sirens, to the Goodhand Theater where they will enjoy a matinee movie. "This is definitely a trial year to see if this is going to work," Heidemann said, "but our goal is to continue to provide a great experience for kids at Christmastime, and positive interaction with local police, fire and EMS workers."

The number of students able to enjoy this community experience will depend on the amount of money generated through donations. It is hoped that at least 50 students will be able to participate.

How To Help

Monetary donations are being accepted at the City of Kimball main office at 223 S. Chestnut St., or you can mail a check to Erin Heidemann, 400 S. Madison St., Kimball, NE, 69145 or Curley's Machine Works Inc., P.O. Box 32 Kimball NE, 69145.