The Dysart Police Department’s seventh annual Shop with a Cop youth participants pictured in the Dysart Community Center on Dec. 12 alongside (back row, l-r) Kirk Weaver and Bickkam Cam with LB’s Pizza, Detective Trevor Killian, Deputy/Jail Administrator Brian Randall, Chad and Jenna Scott with Harper’s Public House, Officer Jeremy Stenda, and, front left, DG Elementary secretary Brenda Gardner. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY STENDA

DYSART – The Dysart Police Department teamed up again this year with several local businesses to make the holidays a bit more merry and bright for a group of Union schoolchildren.

The seventh annual Shop with a Cop event was held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, with eight students new to the D-G Elementary community taking part.

The event has been spearheaded every December for the last seven years by Dysart Officer Jeremy Stenda and D-G Elementary secretary Brenda Gardner.

As in years past, after picking the kids up from school, the group – which also included Tama Co. Deputy/Jail Adminisrator Brian Randall and Tama Co. Detective Trevor Killian – headed to Waterloo to shop.

Grant funding along with an annual $500 donation from the Dysart Lions Club made it possible for each student to spend $200 this year.

Tama County Detective Trevor Killian, second from right, and Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda, far back, pictured on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Waterloo shopping with participants in the seventh annual Shop with a Cop event organized by the Dysart Police Department. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY STENDA

“I encourage the students to not only get things for themselves, but in the true spirit of Christmas, find gifts for their family [as well],” Gardner said.

Following the shopping trip, the group made their way back to Dysart where they enjoyed a locally-catered meal at the community building courtesy of LB’s Pizza, Harper’s Public House, and KE Black Mercantile.

“At that time, I help the kids wrap any gifts that they would like wrapped,” Gardner continued. “They are always so proud and excited of the gifts they chose for their family. I also give them thank you notes to write to the Dysart Police Department.”

Following the event, Officer Stenda thanked publicly on Facebook those who assisted, including Gardner who – ever humble – told the Telegraph, “I truly get as much out of it as the kids do. I’m grateful to be a part of this great program.”

“Each year makes you realize just how important the little things in life are,” Stenda wrote. “I’m happy we were able to make this Christmas a little more enjoyable for these [eight] kiddos.”

DG Elementary secretary Brenda Gardner, right, helps a student shop in Waterloo during this year’s Shop with a Cop event held on Tuesday, Dec. 12. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY STENDA

Dysart Police Dept.’s Shop with a Cop law enforcement/school district participants this year pictured on Dec. 12 in the Dysart Community Building including (l-r) Dysart Officer Jeremy Stenda, Tama Co. Detective Trevor Killian, DG Elementary secretary Brenda Gardner, and Tama Co. Deputy/Jail Adminstrator Brian Randall. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER