The residents of the Village of Sunbury at Glenbrook presented a check to Sumter County Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Siemer for $13,500 to support Kids, Cops and Christmas.
This is the fourth year the Kids, Cops and Christmas program has been the recipient of the money raised by this neighborhood for a holiday charity. This year, with 80 percent of the homes in the neighborhood participating, they raised more than ever before.
“This is remarkable,” said Siemer, when presented with the check. “Absolutely fantastic.”
Siemer was asked to tell the group gathered for its monthly meeting at Chatham Recreation Center more about the program.
“This program was started by Sheriff Farmer to provide Christmas for kids who might not otherwise get presents,” he said. “The deputies volunteer their time to shop with kids who are selected by their school guidance counselors as the children most in need.”
Siemer shared some of the situations they have seen over the years. He recalled a child wanting to look at toys being guided by his mom to look at jackets because he didn’t have one. Another time siblings didn’t want presents for themselves but wanted to buy shoes for their mother because hers were being held together with duct tape.
“These families and their situations can really break your heart,” said Siemer. “Both of these stories had happy endings. Because of generous people like yourselves, we had enough extra money to buy the child a coat and the mom a pair of shoes and still let the children pick out presents for themselves.”
Siemer also mentioned that some of these children associate the deputies with negative experiences in their lives. This program allows children to interact with law enforcement in a positive environment.
“That is one of the things that really drew us to this program,” said Donna Rowland, 2018 Christmas Fund Chairman for the Sunbury group. “In addition to getting presents, we liked the idea that this was providing the children with that positive experience.”
Ron Lottes, founder and leader of the Village at Sunbury at Glenbrook group, agreed. He said they have been giving to a charity at Christmas time for the last 12 years.
“Four years ago, someone suggested Kids, Cops and Christmas,” said Lottes. “I think our whole group genuinely fell in love with all aspects of this charity.
“Most people living in this neighborhood have had very good things happen in their life and we enjoy paying it forward. We hope to do it for many years to come.”
