Sumter County Sheriff’s Kids, Cops and Christmas produced a lot of smiling faces from both children and parents on Saturday morning.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Alana McNeil, mother of three young shoppers. “Truly from the depths of my heart, thank you.”
Kids, Cops and Christmas is a program where children, selected by their school, are invited to come and shop with a deputy. Each child is given $50 to shop. The money for this program is all donated. Many of the groups, clubs and individuals donating are from The Villages.
Deputies assembled at the Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza waiting for the children.
Lt. Robert Siemer gave out instructions including the all-important reminder, “If you buy a toy that needs batteries, don’t forget the batteries.”
As the children arrived they were paired with deputies and off they went into the toy and electronic aisles at Walmart.
Brothers Issaac Faison and Xavier Vereen arrived early and waited politely for the event to begin. Seven-year-old Issaac was eager to get started; knew he was looking for an airplane and Lego. He and 14-year-old brother Xavier attend school in Wildwood.
Villages Charter school students Jaiden and Jake Head were shopping with Deputy Toby Lockwood.
“These are my boys,” said Lockwood, referring to the fact that he serves as a security officer at the Charter school. He said he recognized them from the hallways, but was enjoying getting to know them.
The sheriff’s office holds two Kids, Cops and Christmas events the one here and a second one the same day in Bushnell. More than 200 hundred children had the opportunity to shop with a deputy.
Villagers Nadine and Sam Landis donate to Kids, Cops and Christmas by organizing an annual pancake breakfast and a dance.
“This is our reward right here,” said Sam Landis. “Watching the children shop.”
He and his wife speak to groups about this program.
“We always mention how great it is to see families interacting with the deputies in such happy circumstances. It is great for the kids to see law enforcement in such a positive light,” he added.
