The Smithville Police Department’s Cops4Kids program culminated Friday morning at the Smithville L B J & C Headstart after a season of raising funds, getting gifts, donations from DeKalb residents and fundraisers like the PD’s No Shave November, Cash Express’ Fill the Cop Car and Woodmen Life program.

Starting out with a song by the group Right on Time’s Donnie Kelly, Sean Driver, Danny Hale and Brad Driver, officers from the SPD told the story of Jesus’ birth and finally Santa Claus gave out gifts to a delighted student body.

Dwayne Cornelius, another local minister and chaplain of the Smithville Police Department, shared the Christmas story with the children. Santa also stopped by for a visit with the kids

“This is my third Christmas with Smithville Police Department and we’ve done it all three years,” said Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins. “It’s a joint effort with the community.  They pitch in. We get a lot of presents donated to us. Cash Express is a big, big partner with us. Woodmen Life Lodge1077 always donates money and our No Shave November program proceeds that goes to us we buy presents with. So we just feel like as far as a place where we can come, and these children are small and we really enjoy it. I think we have as much fun as they do.”

Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss was also on hand helping hand out presents.