DICKINSON, N.D. (KXNET) — Some Killdeer elementary school students are proving that this truly is the season of giving.
The toy aisle at Dickinson’s Walmart was filled with excited kids with pockets full of cash, but they weren’t shopping for themselves.
They have been hosting a bake sale for the past few months to raise money for Shop with the Cops.
“When you shop with a police officer, you’re basically spending time and money to give kids Christmas,” said fourth-grader Kennedy Wallace.
They spend the money they earn on children in the community who may not receive Christmas presents.
The students say they are very happy to be able to use the money they earn to help children in need.
“It’s so much fun to come here and have this experience. It’s so much fun being with my friends and being able to help kids who don’t get presents like other kids,” said a fourth-grader. Sharkohe Spotted Bear said.
Dunn County Sheriff Gary Coon has been shopping with the kids for three years now, and each year he is impressed by their generosity.
“When you see how much effort these little kids go to to make sure people who didn’t have a great Christmas have a great Christmas, they’re so selfless,” Kuhn said. “It’s amazing that they go out and do that for other kids.”
The program has also created friendships and even friendly rivalries between law enforcement and students.
After shopping, they go to the pizza ranch and compete against each other in the game room.
“We all beat the cops. We all beat the cops,” Wallace said. “That’s right,” his classmate Noah Beeks agreed.
“Every time we go to the pizza ranch, we race against the cops and we win every time,” Spotted Bear added.
But Kuhn says the students may be exaggerating a bit.
“Well, I remember differently, but I think they probably beat me. So when it comes to video games, they’re pretty good,” Kuhn said.
And there is a message for those watching from the students of Killdeer Elementary School.
“Merry Christmas!”
This is the third year that students have been able to shop with police. After the presents are neatly wrapped, the police hand them out to the children who were shopping.