Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Kops give Santa a hand at Christmas

Santa got a little extra help making sure boys and girls got toys this Christmas.

The help came from the Prescott Police Department and its Kops for Kids program. The program, in its second year, raised more than $6,300, helping some 37 children have a merrier Christmas. Each of the children were given a $120 gift card from Freds to spend as they pleased.

In addition, the PPD officers purchased 20 food baskets for the families of these children, along with 16 bicycles, which were given to a boy and girl in grades K-8. For those in grades 9-12, a boy and girl from each grade were picked and given $100 gift cards as well.

Bobby Cornelius was hired to play the bagpipes for the shoppers, and those at Freds just to visit with jolly old St. Nick, played by Kevin Taylor.

Brian Russell, the new chief of the PPD, said the majority of the money raised was spent locally (the exception being the bicycles, which couldnt be bought in Prescott). We did this with the cooperation of all area law enforcement agencies, he said. We plant to expand to include the rest of children of Nevada County next year, as well as those in Prescott.

Russell gave a special thanks to the late Jane Bemis, who passed away recently, for her help with the project. He said she supported the program since its inception.

Those officers who participated in the Kops for Kids program included Arkansas State Police Troopers Keith Teague and Chris Lynch, while Danny Morales and David Stovall helped from the Arkansas Highway Police.

Locally, Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor pitched in with Russell, Assistant Chief Morris Irvin, Ann Jordan, David Thomason, Wesley Lovette, John Pettie, Robert Henniger, and Chandra Irvin from the PPD. Wayne Kisselburg, Danny Martin, Aaron Easley and Larry Miller helped from the Nevada County Sheriffs Office, along with Crystal Burbank and Anita Jones.

Russell offered his thanks to Wanda McLelland, manager of Freds, and Larry McKamie, owner of Sexton Foods for their help. Dollar General, he said, supplied the equipment to get the job done with as well.

He gave special thanks to officer Jordan, who coordinated the event, along with all the merchants who helped with supplies and donations.

We hope to continue this in the future, Russell said, and help the children in the county.

The sponsors for Kops for Kids included: Wilson Forestry, NAPA, Western Auto, the Bank of Prescott, the Bank of Delight, H&R Block, Exit 44, Precision Power ATV, Stewart Electric, Bev Jordan Insurance, Linda Chamberland, E.J.s Auto, Normans 44, Right Choice Rental, Van Oil Co., Pete DeWoody Insurance, Firestone, Allcare, Dalrymple-Crain CPA, Gilberts Lumber, Glass Insurance, BJs Rent to Own, Split Rail, Crews, Flywheel Pies, Prescott Cleaners, Shell Superstop, Olivers One Stop, Cindy and Sherries, Chalen Keys, Quality Pawn, Troys, Duncan Culpepper, Faulkners Body Shop, Mitchells Jewelry, Broadway, Loves, Tommi Jo Cline, State Farm, Danny Beavert, Ron Glass, Tina Hubbard, Alan Fox, M&M, Nevada County Ambulance Service, Dr. Mike Young, Southern Molds, Kiwanis Club, Tommy Roebuck, Ashbrook Auto, Alliance Insurance, Georges, Ron Baker, Glenda Lewis, Pink Flamingo, Dennis Pruitt, Bill and Sheila Virden, Greg and Kathy Smith, TA, Effies Flowers, Nevada County Health Unit, Jane Bemis, Hines Trucking, Jim and Billie Russell, Gene Hale, Bubba Powers, Rep. Chris Thomason, Congressman Mike Ross, McKenzie, McRae, Vasser and Barber, Mt. Zion Church, and several anonymous donations.