NEW MARTINSVILLE — Dozens of smiling grade-schoolers in the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District were treated to a shopping spree and lunch during the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s “Shop with a Cop” event on Tuesday morning.

Nearly the entire sheriff’s office staff was on hand for the annual two-day event, which took place Tuesday and continues today at Walmart in New Martinsville, West Virginia, just across the Ohio River from Hannibal. County deputies and corrections officers each accompanied a student, ranging in age from 5-12, through the store to select both necessities and more fun items such as toys and games of their choosing.

Sheriff Charles Black Jr. said they hope to make a difference in the kids’ lives. He said their goal is to provide a positive interaction with the youth.

“Unfortunately, across this country we have lost that interaction between law enforcement and the youth due to the overwhelming shadow that’s put on law enforcement,” Black said, adding that a couple years ago a student refused to get off the bus because she was so afraid of the officers. “They need to understand that instead of running from us they need to run to us, so that’s why we do this.”

Each student was provided a $200 budget and allowed to pick out whatever items they chose. Black said each student had a list of essential items and sizes that they set off to get first before heading off to the toys and games sections, where some children picked out video games, bikes, dolls and other toys.

Black was paired up with 12-year-old Jamie Church of River Elementary School who the sheriff guided around the store, helping him find the correct shirt, pants and shoe sizes, and pick out a new toboggan and gloves. Church selected a few T-shirts in red, white and gray — his school’s colors, he said — before heading over to the video games section where he picked out a couple Nintendo Switch games. After grabbing some new Pokemon cards, Black directed Church over to the remote control cars, where he picked out a large truck.

This was Church’s second year participating in the Shop with a Cop. He said it was a fun experience and he was happy to pick out some new toys.

“Awesome,” “fun” and “exciting” were just a few words students shouted out when asked to describe the day. River Elementary student Kale Heddleson, 8, happily said that he got everything that he wanted.

Remington Moore, 9, said it was “so much fun” being able to shop with a deputy. He said he had a great time selecting toys, especially a new remote control car that is able to “climb the wall and ceiling.”

Powhatan Elementary student London McMasters, 7, who also said she had fun, was most excited about her purchase of a new American Girl doll.

Social workers and counselors in the school district recommend the children who participate in the program. Karissa Lallathin, case manager at GMN Tri-County Community Action Commission, accompanied students from River Elementary School. She said the program is a “wonderful experience for the kids.”

“It provides a positive atmosphere for the kids and cops,” she added.

Black said they surpassed the office’s goal of $20,000 for this year’s program. He noted that they have received many generous donations, and continue to receive them, from members of the community. In fact, while at Walmart, a gentleman inquired about providing a donation as he watched the deputies help the children shop around the store.

The remainder of the funds not used at the event will carry over to support next year’s effort.

“It gives us a good start for next year,” Black said.

Over the two-day event around 100 students are provided clothing, shoes, toys and games for the holidays. On Tuesday, around 60 students from Powhatan, River and Beallsville elementary schools were brought to the store, while the remaining students from Skyvue, Woodsfield and Monroe Adult Craft Organization — a nonprofit center for developmentally disabled adults — will be taken on their shopping trip and lunch outing today.

Walmart employees, along with Santa Claus, provided the kids goodie bags filled with Christmas cookies and drinks as they completed their shopping trip. Black said they have a great partnership with the shopping center, which always ensures items are stocked up in preparation for the trip.

Deputies then took the kids out to lunch at Quinet’s Court Restaurant where they all sat around, talked and enjoyed a meal together before students were taken back to their respective schools.