Sheriff's deputies buy gifts for kids

Dec. 13—Every Christmas season, kids can expect someone to pay them a visit and drop off a present picked out especially for them. But some Pulaski kids can expect their gifts to come, not in a sleigh but in a cop car.

"Shop with a Cop" is the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office's (PCSO) favorite event. It involves PCSO Deputies going to Walmart and looking for a gift for a child in need.

Sheriff Bobby Jones said there was a great turnout, with about 15-20 deputies and employees coming to shop. Jones himself did some shopping, and he found the event entirely "pleasant."

"I was able to find exactly what (the child) wanted," said Sheriff Jones. "It went really well!"

PCSO got names, sizes, and tastes from county schools and shopped for the children (24 in all). The gifts will be delivered at a date to be determined. Deputies will drop the gifts off in-person and be able to see the child's reaction on receiving the gift.

Similar events may have kids shopping with the cops, but PCSO Finance Officer Teresa Brummett said that she prefers it this way.

"I feel like it's a nice surprise," she said. "The parents can even keep it from their kids until the deputy comes to their house with (their) present."

Brummett has been participating in Shop with a Cop for around 20 years.

"There's just such a need in this county, and it's just a way for us to give back to the community," she said.

Jones concurred, saying, "It's good for the community. There's a lot of kids, especially in our county who are less fortunate than others, and we just want to make sure that they have a good Christmas as well. They deserve it."

All those interviewed said they had a blast on their shopping spree.

"It's always fun. We love it," said Brummett. "To see these younger officers get involved too and bring their wives and their children so their children so they can get involved ... there's just so much camaraderie ... It reenergizes us and lets us see what the season's about."

After the gifts were purchased, it was back to the office for a wrap session, literally. Deputies, their families, and other volunteers worked to wrap the presents and get them looking pretty for Christmas.

"We came back and had a good fellowship. We got some pizza and drinks. We just came back and wrapped the gifts, and we had a good time," said Sheriff Jones.

PCSO also offers these families a Christmas dinner.

While Brummett has lead the event from the beginning, she decided for the last couple of years to pass the mantle on to Carla Wells, Court Security for the Sheriff's Department.

"I love it," said Wells. "I love being able to help kids have a special Christmas that they might not have had otherwise."

Wells was extremely thankful to all those who donated and said the deputies and the community made this "a huge success for these children."

Sponsors included Woodstock Community Center, Randy Mau, Steven Whittaker, Linda Butts, Merrick Hardwood, and Toyotetsu America, Inc. as well as other citizens.