Local police play Santa for children in need

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     Busy shoppers at WalMart in Mountain Home Saturday had a chance to witness local law enforcement officers making Christmas merry for over 60 underprivileged Baxter County School Children during the annual Shop with a Cop event. Tom Canta, President of the local Fraternal Order of the Police Chapter says the annual shopping trip is part of a larger nationwide program.


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     Canta says the children are students in Mountain Home, Norfork and Cotter Schools.


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     Three years ago the local Junior Auxiliary Chapter teamed up with law enforcement to provide food for the families of the children. Canta this came about when one of the children, rather than buying presents, started buying food.


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     The Junior Auxiliary also wrap the gifts for the children so they can surprise their family members. Amy Klein, Junior Auxiliary President, has been part of this event for three years. She says it is her favorite time of the year.


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     Canta says this is a great way for the police officers to give back to the community. The officers love being part of it, he says, as much as the kids.


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     Sixty-four children from 28 families were part of this year’s Shop with a Cop. Law enforcement officers participating in Saturday’s “Shop with a Cop” came from Mountain Home, Lakeview and Norfork Police Departments; the Baxter County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas State Police.




   




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