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Atlantic Police Chief grateful for community support of A-PD Christmas programs

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December 24th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green has provided an update on the annual “Shop with a Cop” and “Family Dream Christmas” programs that took place recently. Green says on Sunday December 21st, officials with the Atlantic Police Department held their annual “Shop with a Cop” program at the Atlantic Wal-Mart. This year the APD decided to try and bring more children shopping than ever before. In total 34 children from around Cass County went shopping with A-PD officers.

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All photo’s from the Atlantic Police Dept.’s Facebook page.

Green says knowing that it would take more manpower than originally planned, they “called for backup,” from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol. The APD, APD Reserves, CCSO, and ISP representatives arrived around 1:00 PM in full uniform to be matched up with children.shop5 Shop1 shop3 shop4 Once everyone was paired up, the children were taken shopping through the store and allowed to pick out many of the items they were in need of such as shoes, clothes, coats, boots, and snow pants. The children were also allowed to pick out a few toys that they wanted.

After each group finished shopping, officers and their partners were provided lunch at Subway located inside Wal-Mart. The Atlantic Police Department would also like to thank Subway for providing 50% off the entire bill.  Together with the “Family Dream Christmas” program the Atlantic Police and Reserve Departments were able to help a total of 62 children and 18 adults within 29 families to have a much more joyful Christmas experience.

The “Family Dream Christmas” program took place on Saturday, Dec. 20th. Eight families were taken shopping at local businesses, by Atlantic Police Reserve officers. Those same families also received a full Christmas dinner featuring a turkey and ham. Gift cards were also distributed for use at local businesses to help with the cost of food during the holidays. Two families were provided with a trip through the Reserve Department’s Toy Room, which includes toys that are donated throughout the year. Children in the families went into the room and picked out a few items that they would each like to have. Their families were also provided with a Christmas dinner and gift cards to local businesses.

Green says thanks to generous donations over the past year, the department was able to help two additional families, who were taken shopping in the community and provided with items needed for each member of the family. Chief Green expresses his gratitude to all of the MANY generous PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, and to the nearly two-dozen businesses and groups that contributed to the cause.  Those businesses and groups include:

The Salvation Army Red Kettle Fund; Smith Land Service Company; Atlantic New Telegraph
Richter and Son Towing; Nick Baier (Joe Dirt) Pool Tournament; Atlantic Lions Club; BPOE Does
Royal Neighbors of America; The TV Store; Browns Shoe Fit; Atlantic Daisy Scouts Troup 116
Atlantic Cub Scouts pack 53; Employees at Oakland Foods (OSI); Employees at Schuler Manufacturing
Students of the Atlantic Middle School; United Church of Christ; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; The Bicycle Store; Atlantic Walmart; Meyer and Gross Real Estate; Little Cobbler; Women in Management
and the NGA Club.