“The more comfortable and positive interactions kids have around law enforcement the more comfortable they are communicating with us. We are just trying to create a bond,” said Rock Island Deputy and Sherrard Resource Officer Mike Mendoza.
Mendoza, the new organizer of Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department’s “Cops and Kids at Christmas”, took over when Deputy and Riverdale Resource Officer Jim Miller retired.
On Dec. 6, the Walmart in Silvis, was a scene of uniformed deputies escorting kids up and down toy aisles, the clothing and shoes departments, and even the home goods area - and back again, as they shopped for their families and crossed everyone off their Christmas list. The deputies’ family members and other volunteers wrapped and labeled the gifts for the kids. At the end, deputies and kids were served a kid-friendly chicken strip dinner and enjoyed time together.
Each December, the deputies and department staff take kids shopping for gifts for their families. This was the first time since 2019 that the entire group of four schools were able to shop at the same time.
Around 50 kids got to go shopping for the event from Sherrard, Rockridge, Riverdale and Eagle Ridge schools.
Sheriff Darren Hart said it takes $6-$7k to put on the annual event. The department fundraisers throughout the year.
“It shows that we care about our community, it allows for a little brighter Christmas for the children and families and a good way for our staff to give back to the community we serve here in Rock Island county.
His favorite part, “The ability to talk with the children. It’s the interaction with the children we love so much.”
“The more comfortable and positive interactions kids have around law enforcement the more comfortable they are communicating with us. We’re just trying to create a bond,” said Mendoza.
He said they’re working on organizing a fundraiser event in the spring - a staff basketball game between Sherrard and Riverdale. A repeat of the same fundraising campaign between the district’s held at Riverdale. Antics included Mendoza sporting a gold-colored tutu… and a bacon-eating break on the court. The antics raised over $2,000 for the Cops and Kids at Christmas program.
“We hope to have a great turnout like we did in 2019,” said Mendoza.
Donations for the program are accepted all year round at the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department earmarked, “Cops and Kids at Christmas”.
