Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Police aid Santa with Kops for Kids

Prescott Police officer Kelli Lee stepped in to give Santa a hand this year.

To do this Lee organized the Kops for Kids program in Prescott, though she had done it when an officer with the Lewisville Police Department. The first step was to raise enough money to take at least 15 needy children shopping. This was accomplished with the assistance of Booie Williams, who pitched in, twisted a few arms and helped raise $5,800 in two weeks.

This amount resulted in 25 children getting the chance to do some Christmas shopping with a member of the Prescott Police Department or Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Next was to get the names of the needy children, again this was done with Williams's help. From there it was set a time to take the children shopping at Fred's. The company agreed to allow the shopping spree to occur Monday, Dec. 20.

When the day arrived, the Prescott Fire Department pitched in and gave Santa and Mrs. Claus a ride to Fred's on a firetruck, much to the delight of the children involved. When all had arrived at Fred's, Lee explained each child had $150 to spend any way they wanted, but all of the money had to be spent.

This proved to be no problem for the children, some of whom went over the budget and were helped out by their "shopping partner". Lee said she knows officers Scott Sundberg and Chris Fincher, along with Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell went into their own pockets to make up the difference with the children they shopped with. Other officers may have helped out in this way as well, but didn't tell anyone about it.

"I can't thank the people who helped out enough," Lee said. "Everyone had a good time and next year we're going to try and plan ahead to get the information out."

In one instance, she said, one of the children searched diligently looking for items to buy for other members of his family and not buying things he may have wanted for himself. Someone in the store noticed the selflessness of this child and bought a toy for him.

But, the 25 who received the cash weren't the only ones helped by the Kops for Kids program. Lee said a $10 toy was bought for each sibling of the children who shopped, and all of the shoppers were given headsets as well. Additionally, the families involved received a box of food.

In all, Lee said, toys were bought for 40 siblings.

"We couldn't have done this without the help of Booie Williams," she said. "She helped us raise money and buy toys for the siblings. Ann Jordan was a big help also.

Fred's made the donations go further with discounts and not charging tax on the items purchased. Fred's also furnished supplies necessary for the shopping sprees.

Sexton Foods, Lee said, donated food boxes, and sent employees over to help the shoppers.

Lee extends a special thanks to the following businesses and individuals: Fred's Booie Williams, Shanna Loe, Linda Miller, Sexton Foods, Rev. Ivory Curry, PPD Chief Sam Reeder, Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor, Jane Bemis, Shelter Insurance, Jack Faulkner and staff, Firestone, Prescott Fire Department, Prescott cheerleaders, Baker's Best Stop, the Fashion Shop, Jessie Ward Miss Arkansas 2001, State Sen. Percy Malone, State Rep. Tommy Roebuck, State Rep. Chris Thomason, State Rep. Willy Hardy, Prescott Elementary School, Emmet Elementary School, the Nevada County Picayune, KTSS, KTPA, Red-E-Mart 24, the Farm and Garden Store, the Bank of Prescott, the Nevada County Branch Bank of Delight, the PPD, NCSO, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Jorg Nasser, Curtis Lee Johnson, Faith Beavert and all of the children who participated.

She also extends her thanks and appreciation to those who donated financially to Kops for Kids and made it a success. Those donors are: Fred's, Napa, Dalrymple-Crain Ltd., Faulkner Body Shop, Bank of Delight, Bank of Prescott, Karen McLelland, Booie Williams, Shanna Loe, Western Auto, Van Oil Co., Shackelford Funeral Home, Travel Centers of America, Dr. Mike Young, Mike Rogers, Bruce Bean, State Rep. Tommy Roebuck, Holly's Health Mart, Judge Gene Hale, Cynthia Booth, the Firestone Community Fund, Sexton Foods, Allcare/Percy Malone, Alliance Insurance, Fly Wheel Pies, Dr. Charles Vermont, E.J.'s Auto Center, Oliver's One Stop, State Rep. Willy Hardy, J&M Cleaners, Wolves Drive Inn, the Teen Marines, the Prescott Kiwanis Club, Jane Bemis, Judge Duncan Culpepper, State Rep. Chris Thomason, the Prescott Rotary Club, the Prescott Lions Club, Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home, Farmer's Insurance, B.J.'s Rent to Own, Baker's Best Stop, Tim Ashbrook, John and Linda Brannon, Danny and Faith Beavert, Keith Cummings, McKenzie, McRae, Vasser and Barber, the Nevada County Ambulance Service, Bev Jordan and the Bluff City Church.

"I want to double the amount of children we help next year," Lee said. "I plan on starting sooner and sending out letters to let people know about it. I want to help 50 children."