Santa stopped in at several locations in the area Tuesday delivering gifts with the help of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department.
Employees with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. helped adopt 21 people for Christmas through the AFL-CIO’s Adopt-A-Family program.
“We were out spreading cheer, making people’s Christmas a lot merrier,” said Sheriff Mike Strong.
Santa and employees with the Sheriff’s Dept. climbed into a Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle to deliver the gifts Tuesday. They made three stops in the morning and had several more planned for the afternoon.
“The Sheriff’s Department works all year to raise money for this,” Strong said. “We have bake sales, they auction stuff off, they pay money to wear beards.”
In addition to gifts the department also brought food for a Christmas dinner and in some cases they even brought dog food for the pets in the home. Strong said the reaction from the recipients makes it all worthwhile.
“From kids eyes being as big as silver dollars when they see Santa and all the deputies walk in to grandmothers crying because she sees she’s going to be able to provide a Christmas dinner” Strong said.
This year the department raised $4,200, Strong said it was the largest amount raised so far since the department has been taking part in the yearly giving effort.
“The whole Sheriff’s Department kicks in the whole year. They go out and they buy coats and donate them, toys, and they all participant in the fundraisers, they go shopping they wrap it. There’s probably about 30 people involved in the whole thing,” Strong said. “There are people less fortunate than us and we like to help. That’s why people get into this business. Police officers and deputies get into this business to make a difference in people’s lives.”
As of 7 p.m. Monday the AFL-CIO was down to 50 families in need of adoption this Christmas through its Adopt-A-Family program. The agency said it plans to keep its doors open at 1203 N 6th Street for anyone wanting to help provide a Christmas to those who may not be able to afford one from 8 am to at least 5 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 to 1, Thursday. The agency can also be reached by calling (816) 364-1131.
(All photos courtesy Sarah Hardin/Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept.)