Altoona Family Restaurant hosts Kids N' Cops fundraiser

Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Kaitlyn Riley | WQOW

ltoona (WQOW) - The Altoona Family Restaurant helped Eau Claire County law enforcement host a Kids N' Cops fundraiser Tuesday to raise finds to help at-risk youth in the county. 

On Tuesday, officers from the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department, Altoona Police Department, Eau Claire Police Department and more served customers at Altoona Family Restaurant, and the restaurant gave 100 percent of the proceeds for the cause. Officers will take the money raised and go on a shopping spree with kids ages 4 to 11 whose families need some financial help. They buy winter clothing, school supplies and even a toy.

"We come out here every year just because my kids are fortunate enough that we are able to provide what they need, and I know a lot of kids in the area aren't, so we are happy to support this day, and I think it is a great cause," Whitney Hesselberg of Fall Creek said. 

In the past, officers typically raised $10,000 dollars to help at least 100 children, and once again this year Holiday Vacations has agreed to match Tuesday's funds. 

"It is just heartwarming stories that we hear, and then we hear some of the other stuff," Eau Claire County Sheriff Ron Cramer said. "Children are quite vocal sometimes, and we've had children that the shoes were too small that they were wearing. There were no socks, and we know that the hardship exists. From a county-wide perspective, we want people to continue to support this."

The fundraiser ran until 8 p.m. Tuesday, but those who could not attend can still donate online. 

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