Shop with a Cop

Published 8:34 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2021

By Leah Justice

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Sheriff’s office helps 35 families receive Christmas gifts

COLUMBUS—It was all smiles last week as 17 Polk County children got to go Christmas shopping with Polk County Sheriff’s Officers.

The sheriff’s office was able to purchase gifts for a total of 95 children this year from 35 families through its Christmas Assistance and Shop with a Cop Programs.

Of the families, 17 of the children participated in the sheriff’s office Shop with a Cop program, where children spend the day shopping for their gifts with officers.

Sheriff’s office officials say the Shop with a Cop program assists families in need while also building trust between children and officers.

The Christmas Assistance Program and the Shop with a Cop program are made possible every year through donations, including from the Polk County Toy Run, local businesses and residents.

The toy run distributes toys and money to the sheriff’s office, department of social services, Outreach and Steps to HOPE, which each have their own programs to give to Polk County children in need. This year’s toy run included 488 motorcycles that participated and raised more than $20,000 and 54 bags of toys. Each organization received more than $5,200 this year from the toy run.