Sheriff Announces Shop With a Deputy Program
The Platte County Sheriff’s Department is gearing up for their 14th annual “Shop With A Deputy” program, December 06, 2008. The program is designed to take underprivileged Platte County children Christmas shopping at a local Walmart store.
For the last 13 years Sheriff’s Department employees have taken 30 to 40 underprivileged children Christmas shopping. Each child is allowed to spend $150.00 dollars. Of the $150.00, each child must spend at least $80.00 on clothing (underwear, socks, jeans, shoes or coats, etc.) with the balance of the money being spent on toys and small gifts for family members or more clothing if they want or need it.
“We’ve seen children cry tears of joy just because they are getting new shoes or underwear,” Sheriff Richard Anderson said. “With the prosperity in Platte County, who would think there would be underprivileged children living in our County? This program is very worthwhile and wonderful. Not only are the Deputies involved, there are Sheriff’s Department employees from every unit who also volunteer their time to help these children. For many of the children this is the only Christmas they will have.”
The “Shop With A Deputy” program started in 1995. Deputies and Department personnel have taken over 417 children Christmas shopping. The program has been funded by public donations, an auction and when all else failed, the department employees have paid for some of the items themselves.
“The Deputies and other department employees’ who volunteer their time look forward to this program each year,” Anderson said. “They all love working with the children and being able to see that they can make a difference in a child’s life. You never forget the smiles that light up the children’s faces.”
If you would like to help with this program, please send your donations to:
Platte County Sheriff’s Department
Shop With a Deputy Program
C/O Captain Mark Owen