Local law enforcement collecting donations for annual holiday gift event for children
CHUBBUCK, Idaho – Local law enforcement agencies will be at the Chubbuck Walmart on Saturday, Nov. 9, to collect donations for their annual holiday gift event for children, Cops & Kids.
The Cops & Kids program connects local police with at-risk youth by partnering to shop for holiday gifts for the child’s family, similar to Shop with a Cop.
“We partnered with the Cops & Kids Foundation to further our mission to build relationships with the youth in our community. This is one of our favorite events every year, and it’s not possible without the community’s support,” said Bannock County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jodi Weaver.
The fundraising event will be held in the parking lot of the Chubbuck Walmart, 4240 Yellowstone Avenue, on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Officers from the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello police, Chubbuck police, and Idaho State Police will collect donations in Santa hats and stockings. Donations are used to pay for the gifts for the child’s family.
Cash, check, Venmo, and PayPal donations are accepted. To donate via Venmo, go to https://account.venmo.com/u/Bannock-FOP or search Bannock-FOP on the Venmo app. Checks can be mailed to “FOP Christmas,” PO Box 4064, Pocatello ID, 83205. Cops & Kids is a 501(c)(3), so any donations made are tax-exempt.
For questions or assistance making a donation, please contact Sgt. Jodi Weaver at 208-236-6516. To register a child (ages 6-9) for the Cops & Kids program, contact the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA) at 208-232-1114. The 2024 Cops & Kids event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m.
Cops & Kids pairs local officers with a child who would benefit from a positive experience with law enforcement in hopes of building or improving relationships between law enforcement and the community.
The children participating will receive breakfast provided by McDonald’s, have their picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Clause, and drive in a patrol car with the emergency lights flashing. At Walmart, the officers help the child shop for holiday gifts for each member of the child’s family.
Law enforcement from the Pocatello Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, Idaho State Police, Idaho State University Public Safety, Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region, Bannock County Adult Probation and Parole, Bannock County Juvenile Probation and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office participate in the event.
The event is sponsored in part by Chubbuck Walmart, McDonald’s, Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency Inc., Idaho Central Credit Union and Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. 25.
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