An act of kindness by an anonymous donor supplied 17 Oktibbeha County families with $50 each during the Christmas weekend, Sheriff Steve Gladney said.
Gladney disclosed the donation Monday during a swearing-in ceremony for Oktibbeha County’s elected officials.
The sheriff was contacted right before Christmas, he said, by a man wishing to provide financial assistance for families that might not have the means to procure gifts and other provisions during the holiday season.
The donor gave the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department $750, all in $50 bills, to distribute to those in need.
The money was divided between deputies on duty this weekend, Gladney said, and handed out to deserving families.
“(The donor) knew we deal with people all over the county. He was able to get it to people to help make their Christmas a little brighter. They could buy presents or food with it – whatever they needed at that moment,” Gladney said. “This ‘Secret Santa’ doesn’t want to be recognized. He did it out of the goodness of his heart.”
The donor wants to give more to the community next Christmas, Gladney said.
“I’ve been fortunate to help give away about $50,000 before like this previously in my career. Being able to give these gifts out during Christmas is definitely the most rewarding thing in my career. You can just tell you’re making a difference. It’s certainly a blessing,” the sheriff said.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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