'Shop-With-a-Cop' brings local children holiday cheer
Photo courtesy of OSBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT Osburn Police Department Chief Darell Braaten hoists an excited Silver Valley girl onto his shoulders during Saturday morning’s shopping spree at Walmart.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Shoshone County Sheriff, Mike Gunderson, gets in on the fun and helps his assigned kids pick out some toys in the toy section.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Pinehurst Elementary Principal and SCSO reserve officer, Mike Groves, navigates the toy section with his assigned kids.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON KPD Sgt. Paul Twidt helps one of the kids decide on a present to buy.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON SCSO deputy Felecia Ybarra joins the jumble of people in the toy section with her assigned kids.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON SCSO Sgt. Jared Bilaski and his assigned children smile for the camera near the shoes section.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON (Left) Deputy Bilaski, Pinehurst deputy Patrick Rowe, and KPD officer Kyle Hudson gather children and items for checkout.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Hudson does the math and makes sure that his assigned kids are on budget with their gifts.
Photo courtesy of OSBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT OPD officer Jason Woody take his assigned kids down the arts and crafts aisle.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON SCSO deputy Darius Dustin keeps watch on the patrol vehicles parked outside while everyone gets their shopping in.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
OSBURN — Only two years into its existence, Osburn Police Chief Darell Braaten’s ‘Shop-With-a-Cop’ event has become a hit with the community’s youth.
On Dec. 16, law enforcement officers and deputies with the Osburn Police Department, the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, and Kellogg Police Department took Silver Valley kids to Walmart in Smelterville for a chance to get themselves (and loved ones) presents for the holiday season.
Braaten started this program last year when he became OPD’s chief and since then, it has gained a lot of momentum. A total of 72 kids participated in this year’s event, compared to only 28 last year. “For nearly tripling what we did last year (regarding the number of participating children), the outcome was spectacular as far as the community involvement,” Braaten said.
To get things started, the participating children met at Silver Hill Elementary in Osburn Saturday morning and were greeted by a parade of law enforcement vehicles. Part of the experience is that the kids got to ride to Walmart in a police car. Because of the increased number of participants, the kids were split into two groups to be taken at different times.
Upon the first group’s arrival, the children were paired up with a deputy or officer and then set loose in the store. Each child had a budget of $100 to spend on whatever they wanted for themselves or others.
“More so for others,” Braaten emphasized. “We had the same thing this year where a majority of them were more interested in buying for family members than themselves.”
As the kids searched for gifts, their assigned officer or deputy would help them decided what to get and keep track of how much money they had spent. Items purchased included a variety of different things. From clothing and tools to toys and electronics, these kids hit all the bases. Once the march through the check out line was complete, everybody jumped in the police cars and headed back to Silver Hills Elementary where more fun was waiting.
Volunteers for the event wrapped the newly acquired presents while the kids enjoyed a movie, pizza party, and a visit from Santa Claus himself. All of this fun was repeated for the second group of kids as well, ensuring that no one was left out.
Fifty-two different entities (either individuals or businesses) donated more than $10,000 to make this event possible.
With another successful Shop-With-a-Cop in the books, Bratten is pleased with the turnout and amazed by the children’s selflessness.
“It’s just great to see the kids wanting to give,” he said. “They were more worried about their family having gifts than themselves having gifts.”
Braaten explained that he started this program when he became chief for bigger reasons than simply buying presents.
“My goal for the program isn’t simply to go out and have kids spend money for Christmas. I want to build a relationship with our youth so that they grow to trust and respect law enforcement.”
Bratten would also like to thank all the agencies, businesses, and individuals who gave their time to make this such as special day for the kids.