Cops, Kids Spread Christmas Cheer At Walmart Last Week

PIERRE, (KCCR) — The holidays for 15 area youngsters was made brighter last week courtesy of local law enforcement. The annual Christmas, Kids and Cops event was held Thursday night at Walmart in Pierre. The children selected for the program are chosen with help from the Pierre School District. The children taking part this year range in age from six to 14 years old. Each child gets a gift card and local law enforcement officer to shop for holiday presents. After purchasing the gifts, Walmart provided gift wrapping services for the children along with other surprises for the children taking part. Members of the Pierre Police Department, Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and South Dakota Highway Patrol took part as shopping chaperons for the event. The gift cards used are funding by donations from local groups including the state Fraternal Order of Police lodge. Any accidental overages are covered by the officers themselves.