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Santa’s Helpers take kids shopping |
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Monday, 07 December 2009 |
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By MELANIE MOORE
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BLACKFOOT — Fifty kids got out of bed early Saturday for the opportunity to go shopping for their families with a law enforcement officer during the 12th annual Santa’s Helpers event.
A few hours later, it was a flurry of wrapping paper and tape as law enforcement agencies from throughout Bingham County helped the kids wrap gifts.  (The Morning News—Melanie Moore) Members of the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office help children wrap their gifts they bought for their families as part of the Santa’s Helpers event. Fifty children were taken shopping by law enforcement officers, who then helped them wrap the gifts.
Members of the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Blackfoot Police, Shelley Police, Blackfoot Fire Department, Fort Hall Police and Idaho State Probation and Parole took the children shopping at Wal-Mart after eating breakfast. Afterwards, they wrapped the gifts at the Blackfoot Elks Lodge and met Santa and Frosty the Snowman. Each child received a gift from Santa, picked especially for them.
Erin Hildago, who helped organize the event, said the program affects the community in two ways. First, it helps to assist needy families at Christmas. In addition to the 50 children, they also shopped for 50 more needy families.
Santa’s Helpers also provides a positive experience for the children to interact with law enforcement officers.
Hildago said the program was in jeopardy due to low funding, but thanks to contributions from the Fireman’s Association and the Law Enforcement Association, as well as private donors, the program received enough funding to continue.
In addition, McDonald’s donated breakfast for the children and officers, and the Elks Lodge donated the space.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 December 2009 )
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