It's far better to give than to receive.

Nobody knows it better than the Dawson County Sheriff's Office.

The local authorities have made it tradition to provide a bounty of gifts to deserving young people during the holidays in Dawson County.

This year's annual Shop with a Cop event is funded primarily through a pancake eating contest that was held last week at Big D's Barbecue.

A dozen deputies and public safety officials participated in the event, with Cpl. Steven Swofford winning the contest by eating the most pancakes.

Lt. Tony Wooten said the pancake eating contest raised $2,500 toward Shop with a Cop, Big D's Barbecue donated $500 and Wal-Mart contributed $1,000.

The money raised will allow deputies to buy gifts on Dec. 16 for 35 children, which is more than double last year's numbers.

Wooten said nominations were made by teachers and counselors in the Dawson County School System, "who looked for the most deserving children."

Wooten said it's a rewarding venture for the sheriff's office.

"You realize what you're doing is good," Wooten said. "But when you see those kids' faces, you really see how much it means to them...it's what Christmas should be about."