DOINews: Local Kids Join BLM Rangers and Partner Law Enforcement Agencies to 'Shop with a Cop'

Law enforcement rangers from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, the Elmore County Sheriff's Office, Mountain Home Police Department, Mountain Home Fire Department and Mountain Home Air Force Base teamed up for the 17th annual "Shop with a Cop" event in Mountain Home, Idaho.

More than 150 children participated in this event that kicked off early at the Elk's Lodge, where the children were paired with an officer or airmen and served breakfast by McDonald's. The children and adults spent almost two hours getting to know each other and singing Christmas carols at the Elk's Lodge before the children were escorted to Walmart in the law enforcement patrol vehicles in a parade through Mountain Home.

Upon arrival at Walmart, the children were allowed to spend up to $75 on Christmas presents for themselves and their families. Many of the officers and airmen donated money from their own pockets to help the children acquire gifts in excess of the $75 total. Volunteers were on-hand to wrap the presents for the children. Santa and Mrs. Claus were also available to meet the children, and Santa gave each child a unique gift.

According to BLM Twin Falls District Ranger Rich Lloyd, "Without this event and the many others held throughout the country each year, many of these children would not have any kind of Christmas at all. I really enjoy being able to spend time with these children and do our part to help their Christmas be something special."

By: Krista Berumen, public affairs specialist and My Public Lands Tumblr blogger, BLM Idaho
Dec. 20, 2013