Walmart supports local Christmas programs
Smelterville Walmart Coaches Vincenzo Brandi (left) and Marc Abplanalp (right) present a check to Osburn Police Chief Darell Braaten to support the Shop-with-a-Cop program.
Chanse Watson
SMELTERVILLE — The Silver Valley has been fortunate over the years to have so many programs that are committed to making the holiday season for local children special.
Recently, Walmart in Smelterville showed its support for two of these programs when it presented checks to both the Shop-with-a-Cop program and the Wallace Christmas Fund.
Shop-with-a-Cop, hosted by the Osburn Police Department, has Silver Valley children (who meet certain criteria) teaming up with law enforcement officials for a day of holiday shopping at the Smelterville Walmart. This will be the fifth year in a row OPD has offered the program (excluding the 2020 COVID-19 year).
"Walmart has just been phenomenal with supporting the program year after year.," OPD Chief Darell Braaten said. "Not only with monetary donations, but as well as while we are at the store shopping."
Braaten stressed that Walmart's donation of $2,000 will help with the program's desperate need of donations to pay for this year's festivities.
Combine the lack of donations from last year (as the event was canceled due to the pandemic) with the increased popularity of the event, OPD is preparing for more than 100 participating children this year by raising $20,000. These funds cover the costs associated with holding the event, such as shopping money, food, wrapping supplies and other miscellaneous items.
While details of this year's program are still being determined, Braaten said COVID precautions will be in place if needed.
"If we're staying where we are at with a rise in numbers, we'll mix up the program a little bit and spread it out over a two-week period with less kids in each group."
Also benefiting from Walmart's generosity is the Wallace Christmas Fund, which also received a check for $2,000.
The Wallace fund goal is to provide presents to needy local families in and around Wallace during the holiday season.
"We've never been more excited to continue to help our community!," Smelterville Walmart said on its Facebook page.