On December 9th, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office kicked off their annual Shop with a Deputy program. This year they invited other first responders to team up with them and enjoy the night of giving back to the kids. There were over 50 children from 40 families that participated. This year, with donations from the community members and other organizations, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office was able to shop with the kids and then also give each family a gift card to help purchase Christmas Dinners.
The agencies participating this year were, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri Highway Patrol, Butler Police Department, Adrian Police Department and Bates County Memorial Hospital’s EMS.
This program has grown from the first year of spending around to $2,000 to this year of spending over $17,000. Next year they have plans to revamp the program into Shop with a Hero. As the program grows they want other Hero’s to participate. So they are inviting all First Responders and Hero’s in the county to participate with the program.
This program is funded through the Sheriff’s Community Benefit Fund Account (this fund is not associated with the county funds and no tax dollars are used). This fund helps families in Bates County throughout the year but primarily at Christmas time. If you would like to make a donation you can still support the program. You can give your donation to any deputy or directly to the Adrian Bank to the Sheriff’s Community Benefit Fund.
