The holiday season can be a stressful time of year for parents struggling to buy Christmas gifts for their children — especially if those parents are already worried about where their child’s next meal will come from or if they have warm enough clothes.

Lawrence County’s law enforcement officers helped nearly 50 children get the necessities they need to keep warm — as well as a few fun items, too — at this year’s Shop with a Cop at the South Point Walmart.

But the event is much more than just putting presents under the tree.

Many times, some children’s only exposure to law enforcement is when something bad happens — an accident, an arrest or even a death.

Events like Shop with a Cop show children that officers are people who care about the community and the people who live there. Making sure these children have what they need at Christmas couldn’t be a better way of showing they really do care.

And if it weren’t for the support of the community, these law enforcement agencies could not afford to help so many children.

This year, organizations and Lawrence County residents donated funds to the program or supported fundraising efforts by purchasing apple butter, raffle tickets and other items.

We hope the community will continue to support such a worthy cause in the years to come.