On a cool Saturday morning, about 90 area youngsters began arriving at the Buffalo Ridge Wal-Mart to meet with Sumter County sheriff’s deputies and members of the Lady Lake and Wildwood police departments.
Each year, local law enforcement officers band together as part of the Kids, Cops and Christmas program, to shop with local children for Christmas toys and other necessities.
The program has multiple benefits. Not only are area children in need assured of having warm clothing, toys and other essentials for the Christmas holidays — they also have a chance to get to know local deputies and police officers up close and personal — as positive role models, and people in the community whom they can rely on and trust.
SCSO’s Annex Office Manager, Theresa Cooper, was busy checking the families in, and loving every minute of her work.
“I can’t describe how much we enjoy this program,” Cooper said. “It’s such a pleasure to be able to help these kids and their families. A few are getting toys, but many are getting needed food and warm clothing for the winter.”
Sumter County Deputy Josh Greenwood helped the Morales family from Lady Lake select small electronics and games for Christmas. The group included Eduardo, 17, Juanita, 14, Ramona, 13, and Junior, 9.
Deputies Robert Hansen and Zack Vanderpool helped grandpa David Aguirre, Sr., David Aguirre, Jr. and his children Mya, 7, Londyn, 6, and Luna, 2, to buy clothing. The group also posed with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Village of Tall Trees resident, Ronald LaJoy’s silky beard made for a very convincing Santa Claus.
Up from south Sumter County, Lt. Bobby Caruthers, along with volunteer, Bailey Bedgood, kept busy shepherding Kimberly and Danny Holtome’s family from Leesburg. The boys, Westly, 9 and Hunter, 3, picked out some toys.
Deputy Sydney Woolfork accompanied Irma Fruci from Coleman, and her sons, Stephen, 15, and Nicholas, 13. The Fruci family bought food items and a bone for their dog with their Christmas money. Recently retired from the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe donned his old uniform and met up with Dep. Woolfork and the Frucis before going to The Villages Christmas parade.
Volunteers Nadine and Sam Landis plus Deputy Justin Brannen, assisted Michelle Singleton, from the Royal area of Wildwood, and her sons, Narquevious, Narquez and Narqurious Jacobs, who spent time checking out videos and toys. The boys looked sharp in their dark trousers and crisp white shirts. Wildwood Police Officer Casey Siglin went straight to the toy aisles with Jahniya and Breonna Hagan from Ocala. The girls picked out a basketball, a football and several cars trucks.
Tyrence Williams’ Mom and grandmother were too shy for photos, but the little two-year-old from Wildwood was having fun with SCSO Deputy Terry Appel, his new small train and car. Appel also helped Makenna Sanders, 11, and her grandmother, Diane Dixon, choose a heart necklace for a gift.
Much of the funding for the Kids Cops and Christmas program came from the annual pancake breakfast orchestrated by Poinciana Village volunteers, Sam and Nadine Landis. They were on hand Saturday to help with the shopping.