A new program designed to help needy Enon children get what they want for Christmas has been launched by Enon police.

Department staff will donate some of their off-time this month to take kids shopping as part of their new “Shop with a Cop” program, funded solely through monetary donations from the public.

Attendees of a village council last week meeting jumped at the chance to help, donating a collective $200 toward its minimum $1,000 goal.

The money raised will be split among Enon children most in need — identified through a partnership with Enon Elementary School officials — to shop at an area store, said Ben Barrett, an Enon police officer and program chairman.

They’ll initially start with 10 students, though any Indian Valley Middle School siblings of the children chosen will also be allowed to take part.

“I had the idea since earlier this year, but with the administrative changes, it was difficult to get it off the ground,” Barrett said. The idea came from a similar program at the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, where he used to work.

Chief Lew Wilcox, the new police chief, is big on community involvement and this was the right time and the right chief to launch this under, he said.

Lew, a former police chief for German Twp. in Montgomery County, said his former agency had an event called Santa in the Country, where Santa Claus would arrive by police car.

He appreciated the enthusiasm his Enon officers showed for the program; three or four signed up right away. He’ll also take part in the shopping adventure.

“It shows the commitment our employees, and particularly the police department, have to our community,” Mayor Tim Howard said. “I think it’s a wonderful idea and I’m proud we’re involved in it.”

The plan is to continue and grow the program next year, Barrett said.

Cash donations will be accepted through Dec. 11 at the Enon Government Center, 363 E. Main St. Shopping will start Dec. 15.