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The Salvation Army, County Market and Shopko teamed up to offer area kids a chance to "shop with a cop." The program is part of the Salvation Army's Leaders Launching Learners or L3 outreach effort, where 10 stores provide the Salvation Army, local law enforcement, EMS and firefighters a special day to shop and prepare kids for school. There were 700 youngsters statewide in this year's program and Saturday, Aug. 21 there were 25 who participated locally. Salvation Army Major Daryl Leedom said, "Every child needs a champion and opportunity. Leaders Launching Learners allows Salvation Army to help provide that."

The morning began with breakfast provided by North Branch County Market in its deli dining area. The group walked over to Shopko after being paired with their shopping buddies. Pictured is the whole group-- North Branch Police and Fire, Lakes Area Police, Shafer-Franconia Fire, Stacy Fire, Rush City Fire, Lakes Region EMS, Chisago County Sheriff's Dept., and the Wyoming Police Dept. Also pictured Sgt. Scott Dexter (Wyoming P.D.) with his shopper Wyatt, and Kevin Orf, North Branch firefighter, lays out shopping strategy with Collin, who said shoes were at the top of his shopping list.

Salvation Army workers provided each shopper a list of sizes for the child, and guidelines on clothing and supplies to be purchased at Shopko, with $80 to spend. Shopko donated a backpack and school supplies for each child, and chipped in an additional $20, to bring each shoppers' maximum to $100. There's a coveted prize given at the end of each event to whichever volunteer shopper comes closest to the $100.

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