Ten local families got an early dose of holiday cheer Saturday during the first year of “Shop With a Cop,” a new community outreach event sponsored by the Chanute Rotary Club in partnership with Walmart and the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce. Rotary Club President Patty Sanborn was coordinating the many volunteers at the event.
The program paired fourthand fifth-grade students with Chanute police officers for a shopping trip at Walmart. Each participating family received a gift bag, and students shopped for their families alongside officers in an effort to help kids see law enforcement as approachable and supportive.
“It lets them meet the police officer and realize the police officer isn’t the bad guy — they’re there to be their friend,” Sanborn said.
Walmart provided food and hot chocolate for families, and Santa greeted children throughout the event. Additional help came from Neosho County Community College soccer players, a Rotary foreign-exchange student, and members of a local cheer squad.
What the children didn’t know, Sanborn said, is that Rotary members were also shopping for them. After the students finished selecting gifts for their families, volunteers wrapped presents for the children as well.
The Rotary Club funded the project with support from the Jim and Jean Cooper Foundation.
“This is our first year — kind of a trial run — but it’s gone great,” organizers said, adding that they underestimated how many family members would attend with each child. “We should have had more bags prepared. We’re learning.”
The club plans to expand the program and hold it annually.
From left, Jaylynn King and Dayn Decker debate on what to get for Decker’s younger sibling. Adrienne Wahl | Tribune Photo
of the collision, and that Wilkerson failed to stop.
Wilkerson sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment. The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the scene and is assisting the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Several cattle were safely removed from the trailer and transported to their intended destination. Some animals did sustain significant injuries as a result of the crash.
Sheriff Ron Wade stated, “This is a clear reminder of the importance of remaining attentive when approaching railroad crossings. Thankfully, there was no loss of human life in this accident. I want to thank all of the first responders who responded to the scene, as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol for their assistance.”
