“Obviously this year it’s taken on a whole new look, which we obviously don’t like, but we have to abide by the mass gathering guidance put out by Public Health as well. This year, we’re not going to be able to accompany the children,” Albarado said. “They’re going to be able to go over to Target and go shopping with their parents and pick out some toys.”

Albarado said that because of additional donations from the community this year, each child will be able to spend $150, up $50 from previous year. In addition, their family will receive a $50 gift card from either Nilssen’s Foods in Ellsworth or Ptacek’s IGA in Prescott.

“It’s such a different year, and we want to make sure they have food also. It’s totally crazy. The food pantries and food shelves are hard hit.”

This will be the sixth year of the program, and organizers are incredibly impressed with how the community has stepped up to get behind it.

“We have been receiving very generous donations, and every penny we get goes back to the kids. We’re having a good year. People are feeling very charitable. We’ve generated more money this year than any other year,” Albarado said. “Our goal is to get as much as we can. It all goes to the kids.”

Organizers work with schools and agencies to identify 50 children to help. In a typical year, law enforcement from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is joined by officers from county communities and the Department of Natural Resources to accompany the kids for the shopping adventure. This year, a drive-through event will be held Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at the sheriff’s department where the gift cards and instructions will be handed out.

“We’re going to have Santa Claus and an elf on hand, and they’ll waive at the kids,” Albarado said. “The families will get an envelope with the cards and they’ll send back their receipts. And the kids will be given a handful of other gifts. There are hats, scarves, blankets and a 4-H group has given Christmas stockings.”

“We’ve learned that some families may be quarantined. For them, deputies will deliver everything to their front steps,” said Albarado.

Target helps out as well.

“Target has been so helpful. They give us a percentage off the bill. The kids have a specific sticker they show at customer service, and they’ll get 10 percent off their order, and there’s a goody bag waiting for them,” said Albarado.

Kids are generally school-aged, but if there’s a need, the program wants to help.

“This year we were a little lenient on that. We did have a family through no fault of their own who are truly in need. They have children ranging from 3 years old and up. It’s five kids. We’re going to make an exception and help them,” he said.

The program is designed to help families in similar situations.

“We always make sure that the parents don’t have active warrants. We do background checks on the parents. Sometimes people think that’s a little unfair, but we’re looking for people who make good choices, good decisions, but they’re having a tough time. We want to help those families,” said Albarado.

Albarado has heard of additional donations still on their way, and anyone who wants to help can send donations to: Shop with a Cop, c/o Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, PO Box 9, Ellsworth, WI 54011.

“We’re getting close to our goal, but we’re not there yet. I’m confident we’ll reach it, but we’re always accepting donations. Every penny we receive goes to the kids. One hundred percent of any dollars received stays to help kids in Pierce County. There’s no administrative fee, no overhead,” Albarado said.

Most gifts are from the Ellsworth and Prescott areas, and organizers are amazed at the support some companies give.

“Pizza Man in Ellsworth, they gave us a check for $500. They’ve always been so generous. In previous years, when the officers and the kids are together for the day, they give us a huge number of pizzas. Because they’re not doing that, owner Pat Gutting decided to donate $500. That’s amazing,” said Albarado. “Everything we get is appreciated. To be honest, if we didn’t receive the large donations, things would be difficult. If we didn’t receive the small donations, things would be difficult. A lot of people even giving $10 sure makes it easier.”

“This isn’t just an Ellsworth and Prescott thing. This is countywide. We encourage people from outside of Ellsworth and Prescott to give. It benefits a balance of children through all the school districts in Pierce County. The more money we have, the more things we can do,” said Albarado.

Families are urged to share pictures on the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page of their shopping adventures. That way, law enforcement officers and the community can see the smiles on all the kids’ faces.

“It’s sad we can’t be there with them, but we’ll see their smiles even if it’s on social media,” said Albarado. “We want to make sure the kids will get spoiled. This is just as much fun for us. As police officers, we’ve had a rough year. We see devastation on a regular basis. It’s hard. We’re human. When we can take a day and spend it with the kids, that means a lot to us too, and it’s special to see that rapport build. We’re here to help everybody, kids included.”

Photo from Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.