Local police agencies provide 34 kids an opportunity to shop for Christmas Gifts
By Jim Beers
CHESTER, Ill. – The Christmas season became a bit brighter for 34 children from the Randolph County area Monday night December 16 when police officers from Chester, Steeleville and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department provided the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts.
The program titled, “Cops and Kids at Christmas”, better known by some across the country as, “Shop with a Cop”, took place at the Walmart store in Chester, Illinois. Shoppers began arriving at 5:00 p.m. and approximately 25 officers, agency personnel and their wives, assisted the 34 excited youngsters in spending their allotted funding amount on Christmas gifts.
Some of the shoppers concentrated on gifts for themselves while others remembered family members in their shopping plans. Either way, it was a night of fun, excitement and lots of smiling faces from both the young shoppers as well as their newly established police friends that supervised their shopping experiences.
Randolph County Sheriff, Jarrod Peters, Chester Chief of Police, Bobby Helmers, and Steeleville Chief of Police, Jim Zeidler, coordinated the evening’s activities while members of the three law enforcement agencies had a great time leading the shopping experiences.
Bobby Helmers, City of Chester Chief of Police said, “It’s an honor for all of the participating officers to help provide so many kids with a decent Christmas. This is something all of us look forward to every year!”
Sheriff Peters said, “We will be buying for approximately 34 kids this year. They all received $150 a piece to spend.”
When the kids arrived at the Chester Walmart, they were met at the door by Sheriff Peters, Chief Helmers or one of the other staff members that were assigned to have the initial contact with the kids and/or their parents.
Once at the location, the kids were checked-in, introduced to one of the officers that were awaiting their arrival, and the pair were off for an enjoyable shopping experience. The length of the shopping trips varied according the personalities of the kids and their abilities to find gifts for those on their shopping lists. Most purchased gifts for themselves as was the primary intention of the program.
The officers escorting them on their shopping journey kept track of how much each item had spent as they shopped. The kids were continually informed as to how much money from their $150 allotment was left for more purchases.
Once finished shopping, the officer escorted the kids to a special check-out register located in the back of the store by the back door. Walmart employees dedicated their evening to assisting the shoppers and the accompanying officers during the check-out process. Those employees included Angela Kirchhofer and Jimmy Hunt, among others.
Once checked-out, kids and their gifts were escorted to the parking lot where their parents awaited their arrival. The entire process from arrival to departure was less than 30-munites for most kids.
Supervising staff had detailed lists of the kids and each was assigned a definite time to arrive to avoid confusion in the store. Kids and parents stayed in their automobiles in warmth and protection until their assigned times to shop. The entire process was well orchestrated and well supervised. All appeared to go very smoothly through the entire evening.
Sheriff Peters said, “The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office would like to express its appreciation to Chester Walmart, Officers from the Chester Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office, and officers and deputies spouses who helped with our annual “Cops and Kids at Christmas event.”
“Personally. I would like to thank all Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus as well as of the officers and deputies, as well as their spouses, for volunteering their time to help make all of these kids’ day!”
Sheriff Peters and Chief Helmers both noted that they would personally like to thank the many donors who made the 2024 “Cops and Kids at Christmas” shopping experience such a huge success.
Sheriff Peters said, “Many of those financial donors wish to remain anonymous, therefor, for purposes of this publication, individual donors will not be listed or mentioned, but there was at least $1,500 given by local community members.”
“Major financial donors included the Chester Eagles ($2,000), and Ames Construction ($500). Ames is the company building the new Don Welge Chester Bridge. All together there was approximately $4000-plus contributed to give kids a chance to shop.”
Everyone who helped make the 2024 project such a great success is to be commended, however, and the 34 kids who were the recipients of the gifts for Christmas 2024 were exceptionally thankful and appreciative of the efforts of the many people who made “Cops and Kids at Christmas” possible this year!
Jim Beers Report
This is the large group of Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputies, Cheser Police Officers, Steeleville Police Officers, spouses, Sheriff Jarrod Peters, Police Chief Bobby Helmers, Steeleville Police Chief Jim Zeidler, and Santa and Mrs. Claus prior to the start of shopping at the 2024 “Cops and Kids at Christmas” event held Monday December 16 at the Chester Wal Mart. There were 34 children who had the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts due to the generosity of local sponsors and local law enforcement officials who organized and implemented the annual project in 2024. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
This Steeleville Police Officer and her shopping partner take time out from shopping to pose for a picture at the 2024 “Cops and Kids” event Monday December 16. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
An officer’s wife took time out of her busy schedule to help children shop for Christmas gifts as part of the 2024 “Cops and Kids at Christmas” event. Both ladies seem to be having a great time spending their $150 allotment of money. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Randolph County Sheriff Jarrod Peters poses with his shopping partner, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the 2024 “Cops and Kids” shopping event held Monday December 16 at the Chester Wal Mart. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Photo
Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with a Steeleville Police Officer and two participants in the 2024 “Cops and Kids at Christmas” event hosted at the Chester Wal Mart Monday December 16. The event served a total of 34 children and was deemed a huge success. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
A shopper in the “Cops and Kids” at Christmas event poses with his shopping partner, a Randolph County Deputy, Monday December 16. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
This lucky shopper scored big with a new bicycle at the 2024 “Cops and Kids at Christmas” event Monday December 16 at the Chester Wal Mart. This Chester Police Officer seems to be having as much fun as his shopping partner. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Randolph County Chief Deputy Ryan Coffey listens intently as his shopping partner discusses his next purchase, The event was the 2024 “Cops and Kids” shopping at Christmas event Monday December 16. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Chester Police Officer Lake Fogerson and his shopping partner visit Santa and Mrs. Claus as they wait to check out the the Chester Wal Mart Monday December 16. Parents and Wal Mart employees look on as the encounter progresses. Jim Beers Photo