Hempstead County planning fundraisers for Christmas program

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office is planning its Operation Christmas initiative to help needy children.

The sheriff’s department will host a series of fundraising projects to purchase gifts for children who may not have much of a holiday,” Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton said.

“We will start a Shop with a Deputy program, where a child is paired with a deputy and they go shopping for the child Dec. 15 at the Hope Walmart,” he said.

Various law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services and fire departments will be invited to participate.

“Everyone will gather at the law enforcement center at 8 a.m. Dec. 15 for a briefing, then head out in a convoy escorting Santa, complete with lights and siren, from the sheriff’s department to Walmart where the children will be lined up and waiting to be paired with a deputy,” Singleton said.

The sheriff’s department has already raised more than $5,000 with its 2018 calendar. Another event will be a $1,000 Ranch Rodeo, scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 28.

The rodeo will be limited to 10 four-man teams. The entry fee per team is $200.

Negative coggins tests are required. The events will include mugging, branding and wild cow milking, with the wranglers required to literally milk a cow and get milk in a bottle, Singleton said.

Admission will be $5 per person. Half the entry fee is due by Sept. 4 and all teams must call between 6-10 p.m. on Sept. 4 to confirm their entries. The number is 870-703-3419.

Checks should be made payable to: Operation Christmas, HCSO 312 S. Washington, Hope, AR 71801.