Santa Cop program planned during holidays

The Union County Sheriff's Office and Union County 911 are working together to sponsor the fifth annual Santa Cop program.

With support from the community, during the first four years of the program, Santa Cop has been able to provide Christmas presents and food baskets for 180 children in 65 families.

The Santa Cop program helps underprivileged children in Union County schools at Christmas time.

Children are selected based on financial need, good performance in their school work and for having no negative contact with law enforcement.

Presents will be bought by the Union County Sheriff's Office and given to the selected recipients at an upcoming Christmas party.

The party will be hosted by the sheriff's office and the 911 office.

Donations are being accepted for the Santa Cop program. Donations can be made at the sheriff's office at 307 W. Market St. in Jonesboro or at Anna State Bank in Anna (attention: Santa Cop Fund) at 100 E. Vienna St. in Anna.

Money which is donated to the program will be used to purchase presents and for the Christmas party.

For more information, contact Dawn Hand or Bart Hileman at the sheriff's office, phone 833-5500.