(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report that on Saturday December 18th, A-PD Reserve Officers held their annual “Family Dream Christmas” program. This year the APD Reserves were assisted by the SWI Chaplains Association, and a Harlan Police Reserve. The Atlantic Girls Basketball Team were back once again this year and did a great job setting up, taking down, and organizing the toy room. There was a total of 12 families helped in the program this year.

Seven families were taken shopping to local businesses in Atlantic. This included shopping for all members of their families. They also received a full Christmas Dinner, including a turkey and ham. The families also received a gift card to a local grocery store to help with food and meat cost during the holiday season. APD Reserves provided five additional families with a trip through the Reserve Departments toy room, which includes new toys that are donated throughout the year. The children in these families were brought through the toy room and picked out a few items each that they would like to have. These families were also provided with the same Christmas dinner and gift card.

Atlantic Girl’s Basketball Team helping to set-up the toy room. (All photos by Jodie Houge, via the Atlantic PD Facebook page)

All together, this weekends “Family Dream Christmas” and “Shop with a Cop” programs, the Atlantic Police and Reserve Departments were able to help a total of 73 children and 17 adults within 23 families to have a much more joyful Christmas experience! ! We would not be able to run these programs without the wonderful donations we receive each year. Lt. Devin Hogue and Chief Dave Erickson want to thank all of the MANY generous PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS that contributed to the cause, and to the following companies and groups:

The Joe Dirt Memorial Tournament, Richter & Son Towing, OSI “Oakland Foods” Women in leadership group, JBG Farms, Smith Land Service, Atlantic Carriers, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Keegen Pace, Pymosa Lodge, AM Vets Post 1, Atlantic Hy-Vee, Deter Motor Company, Atlantic Wal-Mart, The Atlantic News & Telegraph, Atlantic Subway, Brown’s Shoe Fit, as well as MANY MANY more! On behalf of the Atlantic Police and Police Reserves, they issue their heartfelt thanks and a wish of a joyous New Year in 2021!