BROOKINGS Over the years, hundreds of Brookings-area children and their families have benefitted from the generosity of the Christmas, Kids and Cops program and that tradition, now entering its 17th year, is set to lend a hand to 40 more youngsters and their loved ones.
This years event will again be at Walmart in Brookings, 2233 Sixth St., on Dec. 18 starting 5:30 p.m. So, if youve a hankering for groceries, clothing or other items on that date and time, dont be surprised to see a lot of kids at Walmart, along with their law enforcer buddies.
They look a little puzzled when they first walk in and see 30-40 law enforcement standing there, Officer Josh Schneider said, laughing.
Hes a school resource officer for the Brookings Police Department whos involved with the Christmas, Kids and Cops program. Hes part of a team that includes Jeremy Kriese, whos a deputy with the Brookings County Sheriffs Office.
Theres usually a little bit of shock when they pull up and see all of the patrol cars parked outside, Kriese said. Once we tell them what were doing and what its for, we usually have people bring donations right then, the day of, because theyre excited to see it.
Fundraising is a key part of the program, with this years cost pegged in the ballpark of $32,000, or $800 per family. Donations including $3,500 provided by Walmart are the programs lifeblood, allowing the children to purchase gifts at Walmart, enjoy a Subway meal with their families and the law enforcement community, and receive gift cards for Pizza Ranch, including the restaurants FunZone arcade, Nicks Hamburger Shop and Brookings Cinema 8.
Kriese said donations of any dollar amount will be accepted. It all adds up. They all stay local, they all go to help families directly in our community, he said.
Schneider pointed out that donations can be dropped off at the sheriffs office at 315 Seventh Ave., the police department at 307 Third Ave., Brookings High School at 530 Elm Ave. and Mickelson Middle School at 1801 12th St. S.
Well all get them to the right place, Schneider said.
Its not just Brookings students who benefit from Christmas, Kids and Cops, either. Of the 40 area families taking part, many of their children hail from local school districts:
- Brookings: 24 students
- Sioux Valley: Five students
- Elkton: Four students
- Deubrook: Four students
- Arlington: Three students
In addition to gift-buying activities, Santa will be on hand as well, and Walmart employees will wrap the presents. Perhaps the biggest perk of the night, however, will be something simple, but essential: food.
We put together a food basket, Kriese said. Everything they need for a Christmas dinner as well as some grocery items to help get them through that Christmas break when theyre home from school.
In the end, its all about the youngsters and Christmas, Kids and Cops can brighten their holiday when its most needed.
Its nice to see the kids have that I dont want to say power but theyre able to pick out what they want for their family, Schneider noted. (It) kind of gives them control of, you know, Hey, I think my brothers going to like this, so Im going to get that for him or, I know my Mom or Dad have been talking about this, so Im going to get that for them. It makes them feel good about themselves, being able to provide something for their family.
Kriese concurred. The look on their face is pretty memorable when you tell them how much they have and how much they can spend because usually theyre used to not getting anything too expensive, he said.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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