Around 80 kids from across the Kentucky State Police Post 13 service area had the run of Walmart in Whitesburg on Friday, December 6.

Uniformed troopers and other KSP officers, detectives and personnel escorted the kids participating in the 2019 Shop With A Trooper program from department to department, allowing them to Christmas shop for nearly anything they wanted for Christmas. The kids who participate are identified by local schools and they’re picked up at their respective schools by KSP troopers, and are taken on their own Christmas shopping spree.

The program is funded by donations and fundraising, according to KSP Trooper Jody Sims. The program is also planting a seed of goodwill between the kids and the troopers with whom they interact through Shop With a Trooper.

The program is a joint effort of KSP and the independent KSP Professional Association. Walmart is also a valuable partner in the program. All of the organizations together help meet a need of some deserving kids at the time of year for giving. And some of the most generous givers are the kids themselves.

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