VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Law enforcement officers in the region helped a few children in Barnes County have a better Christmas for them and their families during the annual Santa, Cops & Kids program on December 7th.

The children enjoyed pizza at Pizza Corner and then got a police escort down Main Street to shop for gifts at Shopko in Valley City.

Santa also paid a visit to the children while their gifts were being wrapped by several volunteers.

Event coordinator Lt. Dana Rustebakke said the Santa Cops & Kids program is funded by the generous donations from individuals and businesses in the Barnes County area.

Rustebakke thanked everyone who donated or volunteered to wrap gifts for the children and their families to have nice Christmas.

Officers with the Valley City Police Department, Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Jamestown Police Department, Ransom County Sheriff’s Office and the Lisbon Police Department helped the children have great time.