Like last year, donations will be collected and used to make Christmas better for children in need. The participating children will shop with a Deputy Sheriff at a local store and receive both items they need and items they want for Christmas. Normally the children have to be reminded to buy items for themselves as they are busy filling shopping carts with gifts for their siblings and parents. This program is highly rewarding for both the children and Deputies involved.

In 2007, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office raised $4,000 and were able to help several children. The list of items purchased last year consists mostly of clothing, including several very special pairs of shoes.

Last year, an elementary-age girl was selected for the program who had a simple item on her wish list, new shoes. Her school counselor told us that the little girl's shoes were so worn that the tread had separated from the front of the shoe and the leather had split in several places. Thanks to last year's donors, she was able to get new shoes and then some. Those worn out shoes are still kept at the Sheriff’s Office as a reminder of why this program exists. There will likely be more children in need this year, and we hope that through our goal of raising $10,000 we can help even more children this Christmas season.