Sheriff’s Office launches Christmas-in-July fundraiser to sustain Shop with the Sheriff program

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office staff updated the board on a Christmas-in-July fundraising drive to sustain the Shop with the Sheriff program, which pairs deputies with 50 county children for holiday shopping and also provides $100 grocery gift cards to families. Chief Deputy Steve Winch and public relations manager Kay Gerber described plans to place donation trees at the courthouse and sheriff’s office, with QR-code ornaments linking to the Community Foundation of Western Iowa’s donation portal. Organizers said roughly $20 would buy a toy, $50 a coat, and $300 would fully sponsor a child’s shopping experience. “Our goal is $20,000,” a presenter said; staff said they currently face about a $10,000 shortfall after losing a major funding source. Nut graf: The program has run since 1998 and organizers say it provides both material assistance (clothing, food gift cards) and positive interaction between youth and law enforcement; the fundraiser aims to preserve the program and expand its funding stability. Presenters said nominations for recipients come from county school districts and that all five county districts participate. Staff said they will run donations through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa and will post fundraiser information on county websites and social media. Supervisors praised the longtime program and staff effort; no board action was required other than accepting the update. Ending: Organizers asked supervisors to help publicize the fundraiser; staff will return with updates on donations and program sponsorships as the campaign progresses.