MINOT—Children from all across the Minot community gathered Sunday morning, Dec. 12. at Walmart for the 19th annual Cops and Kids event. Law enforcement officers volunteered their time to walk with their paired child around the store to shop for whatever each kid desired.
“The whole idea is to have a very positive interaction with some kids that might not otherwise have the resources to have Christmas presents." Aaron Moss, president of North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police
More than 100 police officers and military personnel from federal, state, local, and county law enforcement took time out of their Sunday to shop with the children. Aaron Moss, president of North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police said, “The whole idea is to have a very positive interaction with some kids that might not otherwise have the resources to have Christmas presents or other holidays they might be celebrating this time of year."
One of the children waiting in line to be matched with a cop, Damyja Daniels said, “[I’m hoping to get] an American girl doll.” Some of the other children said they wanted things like a hoverboard, a baby doll, and a toy kitchen.
The program is funded by donations from individuals and businesses, and each child gets $150 to shop. “There’s no real restrictions on what the kids can get, as long as they want it, and it’s for them,” said Moss.
Personnel participating in the event came from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the McLean County Sherriff’s Office, the International Guard, the Army National Guard, Active Duty Air Force, Minot Police, and other law enforcement officers from across north central North Dakota.
“These [law enforcement officers], they’re the real heroes. They’re the ones that volunteer their time to come in and work with these kids and spend a little time, getting those kids a little tangible something they can take home, and have a good interaction with law enforcement officers," said Moss. "These guys do a great job."
With each passing year, Cops and Kids has grown in the Minot area. This year, 126 kids were referred by their schools and other social service organizations.
Sheryl Vanferson brought her son, Isaiah Alexis, to Walmart to shop with a cop, “We just moved from Florida up here, so the school nominated him."
Elijah Kaeding and Cartyr Gillstrap expressed their excitement after shopping, “[We got] nerf guns, and remote controls, and cars.” They added, “We’ll probably have a nerf war.”
“[My baby] got some fun toys, some clothes, and of course we had to stop and grab some diapers,” said Chenice Dhlers, of her daughter NyssaMare Leighton.
Officer Jessica Harper shared why she feels it is a special event, “We serve the community, and we just love to help out families that are in need, to give these children a really good Christmas, [to] give them a better outlook on officers and cops in general."
“In the military I did a lot of Toys for Tots. This is a good way to give back,” said Officer Nick Sams. “During briefing today, one of our sergeants asked if anybody else wanted to do it, so I was like, ‘Sweet, I’ll do it.’”
Cops and Kids is held annually in December, hosted by Master Police Officer Aaron Moss, Community Outreach Division. For more information, email Aaron.moss@minotnd.org or call 701-857-9823.
