In these tough economic times, local law enforcement agencies are doing their part this holiday season to make sure every child, no matter the family’s situation, is remembered.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department is again planning its Shop With a Sheriff program in which children go shopping with uniformed deputies at local stores.
Det. Josh Shelton is organizing the program, which is in its third year. He said the sheriff’s department works with school counselors to get the names of children who are in need.
“Our program is different from others because we take these children and their siblings shopping. We don’t want anyone left behind,” Shelton noted.
Last year, approximately 32 children were helped through Shop With a Sheriff, Shelton said. He said one of the most memorable was a 6-year-old whose parents had died. He had gone to live with an aunt and uncle and money was tight in the home.
“We sent him out with one of our veteran officers, and they really had fun. One of the boy’s teachers hid out to watch the shopping, and she said it was the first time she had seen him smiling,” Shelton said.
“We really try to do it up big,” Shelton commented. “We buy items the kids need, but we make sure they get the toys and thing they want, too.”
Anyone who wants to donate money for Shop With a Sheriff can drop it off at the sheriff’s office on Johnson Avenue in Fayetteville or go online and visit the Web site www.shopwithasheriff.com.
In Tyrone, the police department is organizing its third annual Shop with a Cop holiday program to help needy families at Christmastime.
The Tyrone Police get the names of families who need help from the school system and local social service agencies. Once the families are chosen, the police confirm that there is a valid need, and then they are invited to participate in the program which provides gifts and food items. On a special day in December, the children are invited to accompany the officers on a shopping trip to purchase gifts for themselves and their families. Then they return to the police department to wrap gifts and enjoy lunch together.
Last year the Tyrone Police helped 11 children and filled 55 empty stockings at the Southland Nursing Home with the help of donations from the community. The goal this year is to help 15 children. Anyone who wants to make a donation can drop it off at the Bank of North Georgia or bring a check to the Tyrone Police Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Checks should be made out to Town of Tyrone Shop with a Cop.
For more information, contact April Spradlin at (770) 487-4732, ext. 201 or aspradlin@tyrone.org or Alicia Batts at (770) 716-4289 or abatts@fayettecountyga.gov.
The Fayetteville Police Department is providing a whole evening of gifts and fun with its fifth annual Christmas with the Police event. Officers will first meet with family members to get gift ideas, then they will shop for the families. On the special day, the officers and the families will have dinner at Stevi B’s, open presents, then visit Dixie Land Fun Park.
Anyone who is interested in donating cash or a gift card should contact Lt. Debbie Chambers at (770) 461-4441.
In Peachtree City, the police department is gearing up for its first Light Up the Night toy drive, set to kick off on Wednesday Dec. 2 and thursday Dec. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at the Kedron Village shopping center.
Volunteers from the department will be collecting new unwrapped toys near the Target and Planet Smooth--just look for the banner, the Mustang and F-250 marked vehicles. Additional Light Up the Night donations will be held as Christmas approaches. People may also make donations at the Peachtree City Police Department headquarters on Highway 74 South.
Several businesses have already agreed to partner with the department. Any other businesses that would like to participate should call Capt. Stan Pye or Capt. Rosanna Dove at (770) 487-8866.
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