Police departments around the Golden Triangle are giving more than just public safety this holiday season, launching charity drives that gift toys to hundreds of foster children and reuniting families that haven’t been together since last year.
Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office has the widest range of holiday drives, assisted by the affiliated nonprofit Community Benefit Committee. The two are partnering with the county’s social service workers to hold a toy drive and holiday party for Lowndes’ 196 foster kids, Lt. Rhonda Sanders told The Dispatch on Thursday.
“We throw a big party, we feed them good and they all get presents,” she said. “That’s why we raise the money and collect these toys. We want them to have that night where they can forget they don’t have a forever home and just have a nice, beautiful Christmas.”
Anyone looking to pitch in can donate new toys through Dec. 13 at the sheriff’s office and at local business partners Lighting Unlimited, Transformations by Karletta and Fitness Factor, or just to any deputies they see around town.
They also collect items like luggage, gift cards and backpacks for older kids about to age out of the foster system. Any extra or delayed toys collected by the drive will be handed out the day before Christmas to families in need by deputies.
“These kids have been through all kinds of hardships,” Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. “We’re just trying to make sure these kids have a good Christmas. And we’re asking for the public’s help getting them presents. That’s what it’s all about, giving back to them.”
Community Benefit Committee raises holiday funds for the county’s trustees, a program where inmates serving time for nonviolent misdemeanors can work under supervision in the jail and out in the community.
Each year the county holds a holiday party with a Santa and Mrs. Claus for the trustees and their families where trustees can have direct contact with their loved ones and give them gifts. This year that’s happening Dec. 23.
“The person most affected by a father being incarcerated is the child,” Sanders said. “We just try to do our little part against the erosion of that relationship, showing them something their dad worked towards, getting them a good Christmas. For a lot of these guys, they haven’t been able to physically hold their kids in a year.”
The third program the Community Benefit Committee and sheriff’s office is coordinating is Shop With The Sheriff, where 50 local kids get $100 to spend on a trip to Walmart with Hawkins. Prospective participants are nominated by school councilors.
“This event is for the most deserving kids or the most needy,” Sanders said. “A kid that needs to be rewarded for grades or is really in need. We want to build a rapport with our children. We protect and we serve, and this is one way we want to give back to the community.”
Starkville PD Angel Tree
Starkville Police Department is holding its fourth annual Angel Tree program, registering families who can’t afford gifts this holiday season and connecting them with locals who want to lend a hand, Corporal Kenya Bibbs told The Dispatch.
The tree at the police department has had about 80 angels hung on it this year, with about 50 already claimed. The program runs until Dec. 13, and with 30 families still waiting, Bibbs is encouraging anybody that has a little extra to come in and fill out the sheet to claim one.
“We still have angels waiting to be blessed, so if anyone still wants to give back to the community, stop by the department or give me a call,” she said.
Once the sponsors have all bought what’s on their slip, wrapped it and returned it to the station, the department puts it all under the tree and throws a party for the kids in question. This year it is scheduled for Dec. 20.
Bibbs raised enough for two or three families by hosting a kickball game where teams could pay $25 to play against the police. She said the angel tree helps familiarize local families with the men and women on the police force along with simply brightening the season for community members most in need.
“When they come in to retrieve their blessings, some of us are in uniform but others aren’t, and we get to talk to these kids and walk with them,” she said. “Some of these families, their parents do work. But they’re still struggling to make ends meet. The community doesn’t see the bad side, the parents in need of help. This program gives them something to open up on Christmas and put a smile on their face.”
West Point PD gathers gifts for families
West Point Police Capt. Tara Sloan told The Dispatch the department’s drive this year started Wednesday and will remain open until Dec. 20. The department is collecting new toys, gift cards and cash donations at the West Point police station as well as the U.S. Highway 45 Dollar Tree and the Mississippi Highway 50 Dollar General.
Once collections end on Dec. 20 the department will hand out the donations to families between noon and 4 p.m.
“We’re going to be handing them out to needy families, people who’ve lost their homes to fire or parents who can’t afford to buy their kids gifts,” Sloan said.
She said the toy drives are an important part not just of maintaining good community relations but also of broadening the role officers play in their city.
“The point of holding this each year is to put smiles on the children’s faces,” she said. “We’re out there to serve and protect, but we’re also out there to help in times of need. We want to have a prosperous Christmas, and we want everyone else to have one as well.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
