The Ames Police Benevolent Association is preparing to host its “Shop with a Cop” charity event this holiday season.

For almost 20 years, law enforcement officers from departments such as Ames, Huxley, Nevada, Story County and Iowa State have donated time to the annual event.

Shop with a Cop aims to help kids and families in the area who might be facing hard times during the holidays.

The association’s goal is to raise the highest amount of funds possible in order to best help children and families of Story County and its neighboring counties.

“We made a decision after the first year that we were no longer going to use telemarketers,” said Cmdr. Geoff Huff, of the Ames Police. “Up to 50 percent of what the telemarketer takes in can be used to pay them, and we just did not think that was right.”

The Ames Police Benevolent Association is currently made up of more than 70 active and retired officers from area departments. Since their formation more than 50 years ago, the association has worked to assist local organizations financially.

“We ask for donations,” Huff said. “And then all that money actually comes to our organization.”

Money raised by the association in the past has gone to assistance funding for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Special Olympics, the Jerry Rabiner Ranch for Kids and the local Boys’ and Girls’ clubs.

“We take applications from area families who might be needing a little help during the holidays,” Huff said. “And then we take as many kids as we can afford to take.”

Part of that application process is for the parents to provide a “wish list” of sorts detailing whatever they may want or need to purchase.

“When we see those needs that are ‘coats’ and ‘boots’ and stuff like that, we want to make sure [those in need] get those things, especially as winter is coming up,” Huff said.

This year’s Shop with a Cop event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Dec. 8. That day, the families selected from their applications will meet volunteers from the association at the Boy’s and Girls’ Club facility. From there the families will be accompanied by their volunteers to Kmart where they will be able to purchase any clothes or supplies they may need with the help of donations from area citizens.

“We generally encourage [the families] to not only buy something for themselves, but also to look at the other members of their family so that they can try to get something for everybody,” Huff said.

Anyone inclined to donate or apply for assistance can do so as soon as possible by contacting the Ames Police Benevolent Association at 515-239-5133 or at P.O. Box 744, Ames, IA 50010.