Although the county Shop with a Cop took place Monday evening at the South Point Wal-Mart, this is the first year the Ironton Police Department will host its own Shop with a Cop to help children of Ironton have a better Christmas.

“We wanted to buy Christmas gifts for kids that live in the city and go to Ironton schools,” Detective Joe Ross, of the Ironton Police Department, and one of the organizers of the event, said. “We met with faculty at Ironton Middle School and they picked out kids that could participate.”

Throughout the month of November, the Ironton police officers were allowed to grow a cleanly kept goatee for $10 each week as one way to raise money for the event. However, before that, Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson said facial hair was not allowed.

“Probably around five or six officers took advantage of it,” Johnson said. “Since then I’ve changed the policy and as of Dec. 1, they’re allowed to keep their goatees.

An anonymous donor also donated $5,000 to the department for the event, as well as another $5,000 to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, which was used at Monday’s Shop with a Cop event in South Point.

Ross said the Ironton Police Department thanks the donor very much for the contribution.

Ironton Shop with a Cop takes place Saturday at Ashland Town Center mall at 11 a.m. Everyone is to meet in the food court.