Kentucky State Police Post 10 conducted this year’s “Shop with a Trooper” program at Walmart in Harlan on Monday, with 20 children from area elementary schools taking part in the program.

According to Kentucky State Police Public Information Officer Shane Jacobs, Harlan was the second location for this year’s program, with students in Knox County and Middlesboro participating on different days.

“We’ve already done Knox County, where we had 22 kids last Thursday,” Jacobs said. “Today, we’ve got 20 kids here in Harlan.”

Jacobs explained there are four schools in Harlan County participating in “Shop with a Trooper“ this year.

“We have students from Rosspoint Elementary, Black Mountain Elementary, Cumberland Elementary and Evarts Elementary,” Jacobs said. “Every year, we rotate schools.”

Jacobs said KSP lets the schools know how many children can be in the program, and the schools choose the participants.

“They know the kids that need this the best,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said each child can spend $120 at Walmart.

“We’re going to make sure they get some clothing they need,” Jacobs said. “Once they get the clothing they need, then they can hit the toy aisles.”

Jacobs explained the children will receive items including coats, shoes and pants for use in winter.

“Once we all get done here, we will go to Pizza Hut and feed all these kids,” Jacobs said. “That’s when they think that it’s over.”

Jacobs mentioned the troopers have one more surprise in store for the children after lunch.

“They will get on the bus and drive out to Post 10,” Jacobs said. “That’s when we’ll have 20 bicycles spread across the parking lot with troopers standing beside them. The kids will walk around the building and see the bicycles. Every kid will get a bike.”

Jacobs said “Shop with a Trooper” is a chance to give back to the community.

“This couldn’t be done without the community’s help,” Jacobs said. “We have donations sent in to Post 10 for Shop with a Trooper yearly.”

Donations for Shop with a Trooper can be sent to Kentucky State Police Post 10 year round.

“It’s our community,” Jacobs said. “It’s a way we can give back to our community. We’re just here to make sure these kids get the things they need to have a good Christmas. It’s not about us, it’s about these kids.”

Jacobs pointed out the event also helps the children understand the police are their friends.

“We want to make sure we get one-on-one time with them, so they know where here for them,” Jacobs said. “We want to make sure they’re not afraid of us, and they know we’re here to protect them and make sure they get the things they need.”

This year’s Shop with a Trooper will include a total 64 children in the KSP Post 10 area.

For more information, contact KSP Post 10 at 606-573-3131.