MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
A Hutchinson 12-year-old stunned police officers and Walmart staff over the weekend when he prioritized buying food for his family before choosing anything for himself during the annual “Christmas With Kids” shopping event.
The program, which has been organized for the past 13 years by Hutchinson Police officers, pairs selected children with an officer and provides each child with $100 to spend on gifts. The 43 participating children this year were chosen based on recommendations from school counselors.
Jason Treaster, a Walmart manager who helped with Saturday’s event, shared the moment in an emotional Facebook post.
“His selflessness amazed me, and anyone who knows about this has to be touched,” Treaster wrote.
Sgt. Jessica Kelly said officers often see kids pick out gifts for parents or siblings, but this situation was different.
“We’ve never had a youngster ask where to find bread before anything else,” Kelly said.
The boy, the oldest of four children in a single-parent household, requested only a football, a glove and a candy bar for himself. He then turned his attention to necessities: bread, milk, cereal, and other basic groceries.
Michelle Patton, a civilian manager with the police department who accompanied him, said the boy repeatedly asked whether the money could be spent on household needs.
“Instead of focusing on himself, he wanted to make sure it could go toward family needs,” Patton said.
The day began with a donated meal at Pizza Ranch before officers and children headed to Walmart to shop. Because of the child's sincerity and his focus on supporting his family, Walmart and police officers covered the cost of the food items so he could still use his allotted funds for other needs.
Officers have since raised additional money and collected canned goods and supplies that will be delivered to the family in the coming days.
Police are unsure whether the family is enrolled in other available holiday assistance programs, such as those offered by The Salvation Army. In the meantime, the Hutchinson Police Department is accepting donations from the public to further support the family.
Anyone wishing to contribute cash or food items may contact HPD’s Investigations Division at 620-694-2846 and ask for Brittney Parks, who is coordinating the assistance effort.