Officers from the Ames Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Story County Sheriff’s office and the Ames Police Explorer Post will be volunteering their time to participate in the annual Shop with a Cop program, hosted by the Ames Benevolent Association.

In December, officers will be teaming up with disadvantaged children from the area in an effort to brighten their holiday spirits with a day of shopping, said Ames Police Officer Geoff Huff, program organizer.

The program was started in 1994 and helped about 50 kids, he said.

“The initial idea came from K-Mart,” he said. “They were looking for a way to help these kids out, and it has just blossomed from there.”

Last year, donations collected from Ames residents and businesses were able to help 114 area youths.

Children are selected based on need, which is determined from applications filled out at Ames and Story County shelters, Huff said.

The children and officers will meet the morning of Dec. 12 at the Ames City Hall. From there, they will travel to K-Mart via CyRide. After two hours of shopping, the kids and officers return to city hall to wrap their gifts, Huff said.

Sgt. Randy Kessel, Ames Police public information officer, said these kids have no real income of their own.

“Most of the kids we’re dealing with are not old enough for allowances or paper routes. Anything they can do to give their families’ presents really excites them,” he said.

“We see these kids in adverse conditions during the year,” Kessel said. “It’s good we can do something for them this time of year.”

Huff said Shop with a Cop is rewarding for both the kids and officers.

“It’s outstanding. There is no better feeling than seeing their eyes light up,” he said.

Huff said the program also is beneficial because it brings together officers from all over the county.

“It’s unbelievable how many officers take off work and help,” he said. “They wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t fun.”

Donations can be taken to the Ames Police Department at city hall, or for more information, call Huff or Mark Mills at 239-5455, extensions 2133 or 2127.