ANKENY, Iowa — Two Ankeny 7th graders designed personalized ornaments for 87 workers at the Ankeny Police Department.

Two Pleasant Ridge middle schoolers took their teachers’ idea and went the extra mile to make local law enforcement feel appreciated this holiday season.

“It’s a great way for the kids to make a connection by creating art for other people,” said Kevin McColley, the middle school art teacher. “Brecken and Jaxen decided they wanted to make a design for the people that serve our community, the Police Department and Fire Department.”

The boys designed the ornaments themselves, creating the Ankeny Police logo on the front and putting each officer’s name and badge number on the back. They then got to use a special laser cutter to engrave the design on the ornaments.

The boys say they had a lot of fun doing the project, but it was even more fun to see how much the officers appreciated the gesture.

“Well, we want to congratulate them for all the service they give to us, keeping the city safe,” said Brecken and Jaxen,” Prairie Ridge 7th graders. “Well, it feels good to like, appreciate people. Christmas is about giving, right?”

On Sunday the boys went to the station to hand out the 87 ornaments to some of the officers.

“We thought it was a very good idea and it’s kind of unique and it was something that they decided to do for everyone in the department, which is really neat. And we appreciated it a lot,” said Corey Schneden, an Ankeny Police Sergeant. “Usually, we don’t get things at Christmas, it was nice to get something this year”

Officers were so appreciative of the ornaments; they gave a little gift of their own.

“Each of the boys got one of our shoulder patches with our honor guard rocker on it that says Honor guard and then they got a challenge coin and a certificate of appreciation signed by Chief Potts,” said Schneden. “So, it’s nice to be able to give something back to them.”