Sheriff's department seeks donations for annual Christmas shopping spree

Sponsors are needed for the fourth annual Carson City Sheriff's Christmas With a Cop shopping spree set for Dec. 17.

So far, 140 elementary and middle school students have been identified by the district's Kids in Transition Program as being in need this holiday season. Last year, the shopping spree benefited 170 children.

The goal of Christmas With a Cop is to take those children for a morning of shopping with a police escort at the Carson City WalMart to spend a $100 gift card on themselves. WalMart is providing lunch to the students as well as ringing up all purchases tax free.

"Most of these children who qualify are either homeless, doubled up with other families or living in motels or cars," said Sheriff's Detective Dena Lacy. "Christmas may not exist for some of these kids unless the community opens their hearts and their wallets."

This year's program is different in that the school district will not match any funds raised, said Lacy. So all money for the event will come from community donations.

"We do this every year for underprivileged kids in our community so that we can all make a positive impact on their lives," she said. "Our community has really stepped up in the past and raised money for this event, it's amazing."

Lacy said in addition to much-needed cash donations, there is also a need for wrapping paper, bows, tape and scissors so that the items the children purchase can be wrapped for opening Christmas morning.

"We need all the help we can get," she said.

Donations to "Christmas With a Cop" can be sent to the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 E. Musser St., 89702.

Checks should be made out to the Carson City Sheriff's Office, but you must annotate in the memo "Christmas with a Cop" to ensure it is deposited into the appropriate fund.

For more information call Lacy at 887-2020 ext. 41405 or Detective Daniel Gonzales at ext. 41407.