Anamosa
The Jones County Shop with a Cop program capped off a successful week after serving a total of 64 kids.
After Olin students went Dec. 7, Anamosa students followed Dec. 8, Monticello students Dec. 9 and Midland students finished off the week Dec. 10 as local kids got to go on shopping sprees with local law enforcement.
Anamosa Police Officer Aaron McMurrin came back for a second year, after participating last year, and said it was the smiles you get to see on the kidsâ faces that kept him coming back for year two but said it goes beyond that.
âItâs not just helping the kids out, itâs helping the whole families out in general,â he said.
Anamosa
With its new format and staggered times, things were a bit less hectic on night one of the Jones County Shop with a Cop event held at the Anamosa Wal-Mart Dec. 7.
Seven Olin students were paired up with members of the Jones County Sheriffâs Office or Anamosa Police Department and given $100 gift cards to use for gifts for family members.
Among the law enforcement officials in attendance, there were a lot of repeat participants.
âIt gives us a chance to relate to the kids that sometimes donât get to see the softer side of us,â Deputy James Rickels said.