The Brookings Area authorities are hosting the “Christmas, Children & Police” event this week.

BROOKINGS, SD (KELO) – An event held in Brookings each year before Christmas brings law enforcement and children together with their families for a night of shopping and fun.

Christmas, kids and cops started in Brookings about 20 years ago.

Brookings Police Department assistant chief Joe Fishbaugher was a former school resource officer, and the original idea for this event came from him and another officer while he was in the position.

“We just saw a need in the children in the schools we worked with. You had a need, ”he said. “Whether food or clothing or something. So we took that process and developed it, and it started with about eight kids when we started, and now we’re 36. “

Participating children are selected by teachers, counselors and school resource officers.

“We want the story of what happened to this family so that we know, and that’s how the referral comes,” said Fishbaugher.

Brookings Police Department, Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, and Kingsbury County Sheriff’s Office are three of the different law enforcement agencies participating each year.

“It’s heartwarming. It’s really. Just to see the joy in the children’s faces and the excitement. Santa is here so you can see Santa. We also offer face painting. Everyone is having a good time, ”said Jeremy Kriese, Brookings County’s deputy sheriff.

The event includes up to $ 300 for each attendee to spend shopping. The children also receive vouchers. Local businesses and private donors typically raise around $ 20 to $ 25,000 to make the event possible.

“With the gift cards they get, they can go out to eat in one of the restaurants around town, even a couple of them, and they also get gift cards to go to the movies so they can spend a family night on the town in addition to the night they shop, ”said Sandy McClemans, a retired social worker who has been involved with the event since its inception.

In addition to shopping, every family goes home with a shopping cart full of groceries. The things that the children choose are packed by volunteers.

“We see children who sometimes don’t even get presents for themselves. They think of their family and their siblings and mom and dad what they want, ”said Kriese.

“We’ve seen kids buy dog ​​food and microwaves and vacuums and things like that, and they think of their families,” McClemans said.

The event takes place this Wednesday at the Brookings Walmart.

If you’d like to donate for Christmas, kids and cops, donations can be made or donated to the Brookings Police Department or the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.