This year Santa will trade in his suit and sleigh for a badge and squad car to spread some cheer to kids in need, throughout the Cedar Rapids community. The Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity is once again, raising money for their annual Santa Cop program, where local officers will take kids shopping for warm winter clothes and perhaps a few toys as well.
The holiday season can be tough for low income families as they struggle to scrape together extra money in their budget for winter wear and a few toys. Many of these kids in the community do not have the same advantages as their peers when it comes to staying warm during the winter months. It’s easy for these kids to feel left out when they return from holiday break and see their friends flaunting new winter gear or the latest, greatest gadgets.
The Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity has created an annual event within the community to give back to these kids, keep them warm, and ensure that holiday cheer remains. For many kids, this is their first interaction with police officers.
The program fosters healthy relationships between children and police officers and shows that sometimes holiday heroes are wearing blue, not just red. The joy of watching kids develop positive relationships with police officers will melt the hearts of everyone in attendance.
The Santa Cop program brings kids together to have fun, play games, and make sure everyone has an unforgettable Christmas experience. The charity will work another year with Collin’s Community Credit Union and Target to warm the hearts of Cedar Rapids and give every child the opportunity to feel the magic of the holidays.
It’s important to remind kids that police officers are people too, and the faces that make up the police force should be trusted resources for the kids. By being involved in these programs, the CRPD has made a lasting impact on a lot of these children, and in some cases, friendships have been built that will last a lifetime.
To top it off, this program has zero overhead cost, so even the smallest donations will make a difference. For just $5 you can help purchase a new hat or mittens that will keep a child in the community cozy as they play outside.
To get involved, stop by any Collins Community Credit Union branch in Cedar Rapids to make a monetary donation or donate online.
HO, HO, HO. Let’s all help out Santa Cop this year!
