Fill your stomach and heart at same time by helping with Christmas program

By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Monday, November 09, 2009
Updated: Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:08 AM CST

On the morning of Dec. 18, the Farmington Wal-Mart store will be crowded with excited children shopping the toy, electronics and clothing aisles for their own Christmas presents.

St. Francois County Shop With a Cop Organizer Rod Harris is expecting another record year with about 500 St. Francois County children participating in the annual Christmas program.

Helping make such a big shopping trip happen is a difficult job each year, but it’s one you can easily help with Sunday — just by eating out.

The sheriff’s department is still selling tickets for Colton’s Steak House and Grill’s dress rehearsal day on Sunday. All of the money collected goes to the Shop With a Cop program.

The cost for lunch with a more limited menu option is $15 per person and will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost for dinner, which will be served from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., is $20 per person.

For more information, call Rod Harris or Susan Dix at 573-431-2777 or 756-3252. Harris said he will be at the door selling tickets Sunday.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department raises money for Shop With a Cop all year. On Thursday, they took in a donation of $1,000 bringing the total raised so far to $36,000.

The children are referred to the program from schools and agencies. Each eligible child receives $100 tax-free to spend at Wal-Mart just before Christmas break. A law enforcement employee shops with each child. Often, the children use the money to buy presents for other members of their family rather than themselves.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

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