GREENFIELD — Generosity from local law enforcement continued during the weekend as members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department took more than three dozen local children shopping for Christmas presents.
The county’s Shop with a Deputy program took 40 kids on a shopping spree at the Greenfield Walmart Saturday morning. Each child was given about $300 to spend on clothing, shoes, toys and other items.
Other agencies joined with members of the sheriff’s department to help the children. Officers with the Indiana State Police, New Palestine Police Department, Hancock County Jail and community corrections were also partnered with kids Saturday, said organizer Amy West.
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All together, 47 volunteers helped to make the event a reality.
Laughter filled the aisles and smiles spread wide over kids’ faces as they grabbed new shirts, pants and shoes from the shelves before heading for the toy department, where they picked the hottest items of the season.
The event is a great time for officers to interact with kids from the community they serve each day, said Sheriff-elect Brad Burkhart.
“It’s as good for the officers as it is for the kids,” he said.
So often, children are exposed to police officers only in frightening or stressful moments, organizers say. But during the holiday season, officers can simply focus on sharing the joy that comes at this special time of year.
Saturday’s event was the final installment of the local agencies’ 2018 shopping programs. Last week, in separate events, the Greenfield Police Department and Fortville Police Department collectively took 60 kids shopping for things they might not otherwise be able to afford.