HOPE – Scott Brown of Herndon Fuqua Funeral Homes, presents a $350 check to Sheriff James Singleton for the Sheriff’s “Operation Christmas” Fund.

The “Shop with a Deputy” event will benefit approximately 60 Hempstead County children whose names were submitted by churches and others from all over Hempstead County. The children and their parents have been notified to meet at Wal-Mart on Saturday December 16, at 9 a.m.

Deputies and other law enforcement officers will meet at the Hempstead County Law Enforcement Center at 8 a.m. to form a motorcade with a very special passenger. The Big Guy himself Santa has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to help the sheriff and his deputies.

A convoy of law enforcement and other emergency vehicles will leave the center at 8:30 a.m. and escort Santa to Wal-Mart where he will meet and greet the children and parents in the Garden Center. Walmart employees and volunteers will have hot chocolate and cookies for the youngsters.

Reverend Jesse Henry will deliver a short devotional on what Christmas really means, after that the children will be paired up with deputies, officers and other first responders to go shopping. Each child will be allowed to spend $125 each on presents. After each child’s shopping spree, they will return to the garden center where they will have pictures with Santa and the officer.

Volunteers will also be available to wrap each child’s purchase. Any funds left over will go to buy tricycles, small bicycles, and helmets for children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

I would also like to thank those who contributed and wanted to remain anonymous.