The holiday season is in the air, and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office recently did their part to make sure many families in the area have plenty of gifts under their trees.

The annual “Shop with a Cop” event was held December 1st, and 47 kids were joined by 33 officers from the Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and Motor Vehicle Enforcement, and the Urbandale, West Des Moines, Woodward, DeSoto, and Van Meter police departments for a day of shopping. Sheriff Chad Leonard explains the process. “Each child is given $100 to spend, but they have to spend it on their family members before they’re able to buy a gift for themselves. And that’s what the officer is there with them for, helping them make good decisions and those type of things, so they’re not bringing home bags of goldfish and stuff like that. So yeah, it’s just been a great partnership.”

Leonard adds, the kids always find it fun to ride in the squad cars from Adel to West Des Moines and back. He offered his thanks to everyone who donated to the program, including his employees who donated a portion of their paychecks or paid to participate in “No Shave November.” He also thanked the West Des Moines Walmart for once again hosting the shoppers, and his staff for volunteering their time.