Rodeo planned for Operation Christmas

By Staff, 07/19/17 10:14 AM

RANCH RODEO

HOPE – Sure, it’s the middle of July, but the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office is already planning for Christmas.

The HCSO is hosting a series of fundraisers for “Operation Christmas” to purchase gifts for children who may otherwise not have much of a holiday. The HCSO, according to a press release, will be starting a “Shop with a Deputy” program where a child is paired with a deputy and they go shopping for the child. According to the release, plans are to do this on Dec. 15 at Wal-Mart.

Various law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services and fire departments will be invited to participate. Everyone will gather at the law enforcement center at 8 a.m. for a briefing, then head out in a convoy escorting Santa, complete with lights and siren, from the HCSO to Wal-Mart where the children will be lined up and waiting to be paired with a deputy.

The HCSO has already raised more than $5,000 with its 2018 calendar. Another event will be a $1,000 added Ranch Rodeo, set for Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. during the district fair.

The rodeo will be limited to 10 four-man teams. The entry fee per team is $200. Negative coggins tests are required. The events will include: mugging, branding and wild cow milking, with the wranglers required to literally milk a cow and get milk in a bottle. Admission will be $5 per person. Half the entry fee is due by Sept. 4 and all teams must call between 6-10 p.m. on Sept. 4 to confirm their entries. The number is 870-703-3419. Checks should be made payable to: Operation Christmas, HCSO 312 South Washington, Hope, AR 71801.

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