Kingfisher Police Department is kicking off a new holiday program to make Christmas merrier for youths ages 8-13.

“Christmas With a Cop” will pair at least 10 selected children with an officer for shopping via squad car, followed by gift-wrapping and refreshments before the kids are returned home with their gifts,” Police Chief Dennis Baker said.

The program is being organized by a new KPD Police Auxiliary, consisting of officers’ spouses and significant others and KPD support staff members.

Applications for parents who would like their children to be considered for the program can pick up an application at the police department or download one from the KPD Facebook page, Baker said.

To be eligible, children must be between the ages of 9 and 13 and must reside within Kingfisher school district boundaries, although private school and homeschooled children also are eligible.

As an initial fundraiser, KPD auxiliary members are selling T-shirts, which can be viewed on the Facebook page and ordered from any auxiliary member or at the PD office.

Baker said the police department program is intended to supplement – not compete with – existing Christmas service programs like Santa’s Toyland.

“We’d like to make this an annual event, but our goal for our kickoff year is to help at least 10 children from our community have a brighter Christmas with their families,” Baker said.

“We anticipate that not only will the program be exciting for the children but also will be an exciting and rewarding time for our officers, staff and families who participate.”