- April 24, 2024
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More than 50 Flagler County youngsters, escorted by Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies, pushed through the doors of Target Dec. 15, and rushed for the toy section.
“This is crazier than Black Friday,” one store worker remarked.
But it wasn’t Black Friday; it was the Christmas with a Deputy event, a program in which youth in need are assigned to a deputy to help with their holiday shopping.
Earlier that evening, a caravan of patrol cars brought the kids, ages 2 to 15, to the shopping center, with lights and sirens a-blazing.
The aim of the program is to help low-income families or families facing economic hard times during the holidays. Families were asked to apply to the program, and with the help of victim advocates, children were chosen and given a deputy and a $120 gift card to shop for themselves, their parents and siblings.
Target awarded a $2,500 grant to fund the program, while the remainder of the funds came from community donations and Sheriff’s Office employees.
“This is absolutely great,” said Flagler County Sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Jones. “We are excited that we are going to be able to help so many more youngsters this year.”
Jones started the program three years ago. It has grown from helping 11 children the first year to 26 in the second and 51 this year. Next year, the goal is 100 kids, said Matthew Ferraz, who organized Target’s involvement in the event.
Mardy Gilyard, who played for the St. Louis Rams in 2010, made a surprise appearance at the event and donated $400.
“I want to be involved in something like this. It’s for the kids,” he told Jones.
Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming said: “This community continues to give generously during these tough times. These kids are going to have a great Christmas.”
To donate to the 2012 Christmas with a Deputy program, visit Intracoastal Bank with a check payable to “Christmas with a Deputy Inc.”
