By Taylor Boyd
More than 100 local youngsters bought Christmas presents during the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Shop with a Cop event at Wal-Mart on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith said the event is possible due to community members and organizations donating money to ensure children could purchase Christmas gifts they more than likely would otherwise not be able to get due to poverty.
“This program serves as a representation of who we are as Patrick Countians, and is proof that this is the greatest place on the planet to live and raise a family,” Smith said.
“We try to suggest a mixture of items that are needed like hygiene and health items and items that are wanted, but the child picks out what he or she wants,” Smith said. Each child had up to $120 to spend. Shoppers were accompanied by a sheriff’s staff during the trip. Many of their parents and guardians also attended the event.
Smith said a lot of the children, especially those over 8-10 years old, purchased clothing as their gifts.
“The child I had, the majority of what he spent his money on was clothing, warm weather clothing,” he said.
Despite their youth, Smith said the older children really understand the basis and cause of the program.
“The gratitude that you see coming from them is almost heartbreaking,” Smith said, and his employees feel the same.
“This is the best day of the year for the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office. We have nearly 100 percent participation in the office of deputies showing up,” he said.
The program was started years ago by Lt. Brian Hubbard.
“Under his leadership, it has grown every year. When it started off, we were at about 40 kids, and 80 kids were helped last year,” he said, adding he anticipates the number of children served annually through the program will grow in the future.
Smith noted Deputy Emily Vernon and Office Manager Felecia Haymore have also been integral in helping the program grow.
“A great deal of work goes into maintaining this program, from tight fiscal controls to identifying and reaching out to families in need,” he said.
Those wishing to donate for next year’s event should call the office’s non-emergency number, 276-694-3161.
