The Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Lake Delton Police Department and Wisconsin Dells Police Explorers are joining forces and bringing back the Kops for Kids program.

This program provides toys and clothing to children in need this Christmas. The police departments have a long standing tradition of providing charity to the community and this year is no exception. The event has grown to provide hundreds of local families with clothes, food and toys for the holidays. They anticipate that this year police will receive a high number of requests due to the economy.

On Dec. 13, beginning at 10 a.m. police, fire, EMS and Explorers will be at Wal-Mart and Kohl's competing to see which emergency vehicle the community can fill first. Please come out this day, they need your help.

If you wish to inform police of a child in need, come to either the Lake Delton or Wisconsin Dells Police departments and complete a donation request form. Police ask that persons doing so list the name, age, clothing size, and contact information of the child, along with parent/guardian information and a current address. Forms are also available at Central Wisconsin Community Action, Highway 13, and St. Vincent De Paul Store, Highway 16.

Due to overwhelming requests received, police ask that the donation request forms be restricted to children ages 14 and younger and only those residing in the Wisconsin Dells school district. The police departments will be working with the Dells/Delton EMS, Kilbourn Fire Department, Delton Fire Department, along with area support groups and government services to assure that the family is in need.

Special requests for older children or adults will be considered on a case by case basis. Donation request forms can also be e mailed to Lt. Brian Landers of the Wisconsin Dells Police Department at blanders@wdpd.com or Officer Kristi Seidl Lake Delton Police kseidl@lakedelton.org

Forms must be submitted no later than by noon Dec. 12.

Donations of new toys and clothing are being accepted at both police departments, 24 hours a day.

Area businesses or community members may also donate cash to the gift drive. Checks should be made payable to the Wisconsin Dells Police Explorers.

On Monday Dec. 22, the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton Police department salong with the help of the Police Explorers will co-host a Kops 4 Kids Christmas party at the Wisconsin Dells Community Center for the children who were selected for the gift drive. The party is by invitation only. Santa will be making a surprise visit.

For information on the event, contact Officer Kristi Seidl, Lake Delton Police (608) 254-7571 or Lt. Brian Landers of the Dells Police at (608) 253-5300 ext. 810