On Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 police officers from Merriam participated in Operation Rudolph for the third year. This event brightens the holidays with a unique experience for select students in the Shawnee Mission School district.
Principals from each Merriam elementary school selected one student to participate in the event. Master Police Officer Kristin Jasinski accompanied 6th grader Matthew Harding from Merriam Park Elementary, and Police Officer Trey Daniels accompanied Bane Butler from Crestview Elementary School to the nearby Target for holiday gift shopping.
Both Matthew and Bane selected gifts for their siblings and parents, then each chose something for themselves. After shopping, officers and students gathered at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center to wrap gifts, enjoy dinner, decorate cookies for their families, and visit with Santa. Before heading home, they also received a gift basket to prepare a holiday meal with their family.
In all, twenty-seven sixth grade students were chosen to participate from 14 elementary schools in the Shawnee Mission School District.
The event is a partnership between the Merriam Police Department, Overland Park Police Department, Lenexa Police Department, Shawnee Police Department, Johnson County Chapter of the NAACP, Target, Overland Park Police Officers Foundation, Shawnee FOP Lodge #11, and the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.
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