CARL JUNCTION, Mo. —
Carl Junction Police Chief Delmar Haase may not resemble Old St. Nick, but he has helped play the part of Santa Claus to area kids through the “Shop with a Cop” program since 2004.
Haase, along with the rest of the members of the Carl Junction Police Department, has raised funds for the annual event that pairs officers with underprivileged students from the Carl Junction School District. The students are given $100 each and they use it to shop. Starting with 50 students in 2004, the program has steadily grown to include 242 students last year.
“Every penny we get goes directly to the kids,” Haase said. “We don’t take any money for administrative costs. This is all for them.”
This year, the department is seeing a dip in its fundraising efforts. Haase cited fewer major donations than in years past. In addition to business donations, the school district administration and staff holds fundraisers to fund the trip. Currently, the department has raised nearly $20,000, which would fund nearly 200 students for the trip.
“We haven’t lost anyone, but a few places had to scale back what they donated,” Haase said. We are still in that last push before the trip to get as many kids as possible to come out with us.”
The department’s goal is to keep the event at the same level as previous years.
“We aren’t setting out to break records or anything, this isn’t what this is about,” Haase said. “Our goal is to just make sure that we at least get the same amount of kids out as we did last year. We have to have the funds in place to do that.”
The event will be held on Dec.15 at the Wal-Mart located at 1501 Range Line in Joplin. In addition to Carl Junction officers, the department enlists help from several nearby departments.
“We get officers from the Kansas side who call in and help to make sure all of the kids have someone to go with,” Haase said. “There’s also a lot of nearby police from the county who will also help out. A lot of the local emergency and police will step up and help out.”
Haase said his department has sent out letters seeking donations, forgoing soliciting donations over the phone. The Carl Junction Police Department is still taking donations. Details: 417-649-7070.
Top Stories
Funds lagging for Carl Junction’s annual “Shop with a Cop”
- Top Stories
-
-
‘Lucky ’13’: 481 graduate from Joplin High School
Samantha Mahurin believes students in the Joplin High School class of 2013 are unique in that they have survived — together — what she calls the “roller coaster” of their high school career.
-
Announcements, picnics, tributes all scheduled for tornado anniversary event
Wednesday’s second anniversary observance of the May 22, 2011, tornado that devastated the Joplin and Duquesne area is expected to include several key announcements.
-
Interfaith services an outgrowth of 2011 tornado in Joplin
Celebrating community and rebuilding, members of three faiths came together Sunday at the Landreth Park amphitheater as part of an ongoing interfaith effort that came out of the aftermath of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
-
VIDEO: Nearly 2,300 take part in second Joplin Memorial Run
Having just cruised across the line to finish in first place in the Joplin Memorial Run’s half-marathon, Andrew Webb paused for a moment to catch his breath and take it all in.
-
Hatred, resentment and retribution fueled bloody encounter at Rader’s Farm
Members of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment had been in Jasper County in large numbers on previous foraging missions. Coming from their outpost in modern-day Baxter Springs, Kan., the armed former slaves in Union uniforms had entered the property and homes of white residents to take their food or other useful supplies.
-
Ceremony to mark push for Civil War memorial
Organizers hope that today’s ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of a Civil War battle northwest of Joplin also will encourage support to finance a permanent memorial on the site.
-
VIDEO: Memorial run draws nearly 2,300
In all, nearly 2,300 runners gathered near Memorial Hall Saturday morning to take part in either the half marathon, 5K or 1-mile kids run.
-
Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
Weather delays opening of Schifferdecker water park
Wet spring weather has delayed work on the Schifferdecker Aquatic Center, and it will not open over Memorial Day weekend, city officials said today.
- More Top Stories Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
