Shop With A Sheriff Reaches Record Number of Children With Community Support

Shop With A Sheriff Makes the Holidays Brighter for Reno County Students

What began as a small idea inside the jail walls has grown into one of the Sheriff’s Office’s most meaningful community traditions.

In 2018, the concept of Shop With A Sheriff first took shape when a simple question was asked: Could we do more for kids in need during the holidays? That year, a modest event was organized within the jail, where funds from No Shave November were used to sponsor a few children. With the support of Captain Shawn McClay, those first kids were able to experience something special—proof that even a small effort could make a real difference.

Encouraged by the impact, the idea grew the following year. In 2019, the program was brought to the Fraternal Order of Police with the hope of expanding the reach and helping more children. That conversation became a turning point. The FOP members not only offered additional funding but suggested turning the effort into a full FOP-sponsored event that would involve the entire department. From that moment on, Shop With A Sheriff became a department-wide mission—and the rest, as they say, is history.

Each year, the Reno County Sheriff’s Office works in partnership with law enforcement agencies across Reno County and with local schools to identify students who could benefit from additional support during the Christmas season.With money from donors and sponsors and help from Wal-Mart, volunteers purchase gifts for each child on their list and then the gifts are wrapped by volunteers at The Clayworks at Disability Supports location. Santa, Mrs. Claus and sometimes a surprise visit from the Grinch, make a festive time as children go to The Clayworks to pick up their gifts. 

Now, in 2025, the program will celebrate its 7th official Shop With A Sheriff event, and it has grown beyond anything imagined in those early days. This year marked the largest event to date, with 81 children sponsored through the generosity of local community partners. So far, $13,861.20 has been spent to make the event possible, all covered by sponsors who continue to step up year after year to support local families.

In addition to school-aged children, the program continues its commitment to kids in the shelter, just as it has in years past. Shelter children receive $100 each to shop for items they need or want, with the cost shared between the Sheriff’s Office FOP and the Hutchinson Police Department’s FOP—another example of agencies working together for the good of the community.

Today, Shop With A Sheriff stands as a testament to what can happen when compassion, teamwork, and community support come together. From a handful of kids sponsored with No Shave November funds to a large-scale annual event serving dozens of children, the program continues to grow—while never losing sight of its original purpose: making the holidays brighter for children who need it most.

Students, agencies and sponsors located below photographs. Then MORE photos of shopping at Walmart and then wrapping at The Clayworks!!!

Here are a list of students from Reno County schools:
Buhler (10 kids) 
Plum Creek (19 kids) 
South Hutchinson (10 Kids)  
Haven (15 kids) 
Pretty Prairie (8 Kids)  
Nickerson  (11 kids) 
Fairfield  (8 kids) 

Agencies Involved:
Reno County Sheriff’s Office FOP Lodge 18
South Hutchinson Police Department
Buhler Police Department
Haven Police Department

Sponsors:

Walmart
Lowen Corporation
Fairytales Boutique
Gambino’s Pizza
Collins Bus Corporation
Allen Samuels Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Hutchinson
B & J’s Smoke Shop
The Clayworks
Agri-Center
Robertson’s Termite & Pest Control
Sutton-Kauffman Transmission
Tom and Dan’s Tire Service
Bogey’s
Hayden’s Hayday
Gary Walker Agency Insurance
Mary Winter Agency Farm Bureau
MLT Trucking Inc.
FireTronics              
Titan Home Services
Titan Always Delivers
505 Tobacco and Liquor
Stanley’s Liquor
Shopaholics Surplus
Bartel Kitchen and Bath
Buhler Market
Brack Farms
Employees of City Of Buhler
Baldwin Lawncare
IdeaTek
Schmidt Electric
Westlake Ace Hardware
Mark Borecky Construction
MBC Flooring and Design
MBC Roofing and Design
Twisted Prints Co.
Steve and Shari Lutz
Ernest and Judy Trujillo
Anthony and Amy Baldwin
Daniel and Sarah Friesen Family
Kirk and Joely Kelly Family
Larry and Trisha Burgey
Matt and Jenn Keller
Ryan and Lindsay Wray Family