The Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office is once again inviting the community to help make the holiday season brighter for local children through its annual Christmas in July fundraising campaign.
Now in its second year, the monthlong campaign supports the Sheriff's Office's longstanding Shop with the Sheriff program, which has served children and families throughout Pottawattamie County for nearly three decades. Donations collected during the campaign help provide winter essentials, clothing, shoes and holiday gifts for children who may otherwise go without.
This year, the Christmas in July campaign runs from July 1 through July 31 and serves as an opportunity for community members, businesses and organizations to invest in local children months before the holiday season begins.
"For 28 years, the generosity of our community has helped us provide warmth, dignity, and joy to local children," said Rikayla Champlin, Senior Jail Administrative Assistant and event coordinator for Shop with the Sheriff. "Every donation helps ensure that children throughout Pottawattamie County have the essentials they need for winter while also creating meaningful holiday memories alongside our deputies."
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Funds raised through the campaign directly support the annual Shop with the Sheriff event held each November. During the event, participating children are paired with deputies and volunteers for a shopping experience that allows them to select winter clothing, shoes, coats and holiday gifts.
Every dollar raised helps, and donations of all sizes make a difference:
$20 can provide a new toy for a child.
$30 can purchase a pair of winter boots.
$40 can provide a new pair of sneakers.
$50 can purchase a warm winter coat.
$100 can provide a new outfit and shoes.
$200 can help purchase two new outfits, winter boots and a winter coat.
$300 can fully sponsor a child's Shop with the Sheriff experience.
Businesses interested in making a larger impact may also participate through program sponsorship opportunities available at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Interested organizations can contact Rikayla Champlin at rchamplin@sheriff.pottcounty-ia.gov or 712-890-2259.
Community members can make donations online through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa at https://pottia.gov/ShopWithTheSheriff or deliver checks made payable to the Community Foundation for Western Iowa to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501.
The Sheriff's Office encourages residents to join this year's Christmas in July campaign and help ensure local children can experience the warmth, excitement and generosity of the holiday season.
