WHEATLAND — Local law enforcement agencies joined with the Wyoming Hunger Initiative to bring holiday abundance to kids with a documented need. This year, Bomgaar’s in Wheatland opened their doors to 100 area kids armed with $100 in spending money. Wheatland and Guernsey Police Department, the Platte County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department all participated in accompanying the children as they shopped for specially discounted treasures. 

“Resource officers, law enforcement, and others in the community help identify the need,” said organizer Jamie Wingard, who has been heading up and managing the program in Wheatland for the past few years. Contributions from local business owners, the private sector, and other resources make the “spending money” possible, according to Wingard. Bomgaar’s generously marked down items 40% for the event so that the children could make the absolute most out of the night. Girls and boys shopped not only for themselves but for family members as well. 

A WVFD fire engine transported the children from Bomgaar’s to the Fire Training center where they enjoyed Christmas stockings provided by the sheriffs’ deputies’ wives. At the Fire Training Center, everyone enjoyed a hot-dog-and-chips meal, wrapped presents, and participated in a coloring contest. “Banner Health also baked cookies for the meal,” she said. Amazon gift cards were given as prizes for the coloring contest winners. 

The gifts didn’t end there:  awaiting the children at the Fire Training Center were food boxes to take home thanks to generous donations by organizations and individuals arranged by First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon who established the Wyoming Hunger Initiative; a mission to mitigate food deficits across the state.