Law enforcement makes the holidays special for local children in need

Missouri Conservation Department officer, Eric Heuring, aids a child in selecting shoes as a part of the Karing for Kids program in which officials from the surrounding area recently participated.

Photo provided

According to Pam Buchanan of the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, Karing for Kids is hosted in conjunction with Huck's in Kennett, which has been participating in the program longer than the Sheriff's Department.

Both organizations raise money and then money divide the funds among the children selected for the program.

The children are selected through cases worked through the sheriff's office or from forms submitted to surrounding schools to designate children in need during the holiday season.

During the 2009 project, 21 children were selected to participate.

Each child was allowed $100 and taken shopping at Walmart with officers from the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department, Missouri Highway Patrol, Kennett Police Department, Missouri Conservation Department, Senath Police Department, Clarkton Police Department, and Holcomb Police Department, along with employees of Huck's and dispatchers and jailers and secretaries from the sheriff's office.

Following the shopping, the children were treated to a meal which was provided for free by Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kennett, according to Buchanan.

She added that the children then traveled back to the Sheriff's Department where they were greeted by "Santa Claus."

"The kids eyes light up when they sit on Santa's lap," Buchanan said.

While sitting on Santa's lap, the children had their picture made, according to Buchanan.

"We pulled in kids from Clarkton, Campbell, Kennett, Cardwell, Arbyrd, and Holcomb," Buchanan said.

She added that the Walmart officials were helpful to the project by allowing all of the participants to checkout in the layaway department in one line.

"I want to thank everyone who donated to the project and everyone involved in the project," Buchanan said.