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| Police to again help needy children |
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| News - Community News | |||
| Written by Nancy Hull Rigdon | |||
| Wednesday, 04 November 2009 00:00 | |||
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Smithville police won’t forget the mother who spoke at a Board of Aldermen meeting early this year. Near tears, she detailed how without the police department’s efforts, her children wouldn’t have had a Christmas.
The moment was one of many moments that convinced police to plan the second annual Shop with a Cop event this year. Last Christmas, the police department organized Shop with a Cop, where those in the department raised money from the community and then used the funds to take local needy children on a Target shopping spree. Last year, the department collected more than $3,400 in donations. With the funding, they loaded 10 children on a bus, took them shopping in Kansas City and then took them to McDonald’s and Nellie’s Sweet Officer Joanna Mayer said police were touched when most of the children wanted to use some of their gift money on presents for their parents. Officers Ralph Wheeler and Chris Britton had the idea to start the program in Smithville. They had heard of other departments doing something similar. He hopes the department raises enough money to brighten Christmas for more than 10 children. “We’d like to help 15 kids this year, more than we did last year,” Wilson said. The department is working with Smithville R-II School District staff to identify children for the program. The shopping date is set for Dec. 19. Police again plan to take a bus to Kansas City for shopping before having lunch somewhere in Smithville and then ice cream at Nellie’s. Santa, played by detective Jerry Johnson, will likely return this year for another appearance. Later this month, the department plans to have donation canisters set up for the program throughout Smithville. Donations can also be made at any Platte Valley Bank branch or at City
Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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“To know that the gifts we helped those kids get was all they got was emotional,” Police Chief Ken Wilson said. “That’s what the spirit of giving is all about.”
Shoppe in Smithville.
Hall. For more information, contact the police department at 532-0500.
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