Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department brings holiday wishes to life for local families in need
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A partnership with Santa Claus, Christmas elves and the Grinch resulted in a massive success for local families and law enforcement.
Spreading the Christmas cheer, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department featured deputies and staff dressed as classic holiday characters on Thursday singing carols as they delivered gifts for the annual AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family Program. Four families and three seniors were adopted and selected by the department to receive gifts such as kids toys and household essentials.
One lucky family who was selected was St. Joseph resident Crystal Smith, who expressed gratitude and appreciation for members of the community, organizations and law enforcement who helped her family.
"It is the biggest blessing we could ask for. When it comes to Christmas this year, with my health conditions, my husband being the only one working and having two kids, we wouldn't have applied much of anything," Smith said. "Maybe we would have enough to spend $50 each between my two children. I hoped my kids could each get maybe three or four gifts, that would have been perfect for us. This is more than I could have dreamed of. Even little things like laundry soap is big because we don't have it to wash laundry. I don't know how else to put it, I'm just very thankful."
The Adopt-A-Family program has long been a significant tradition for the department and its community outreach efforts. Officers come during their off days to deliver gifts, dress up in holiday clothing and hold gatherings with community members, including events like hot dog eating competitions.
"We love going out and helping folks that need help at Christmas," Sheriff Bill Puett said. "The hot dog eating contest, paying for your jeans on Friday, it's different things throughout the year to help people in need. You can see today all the kids and families we're so excited to interact with the Grinch and Santa. The members of the Sheriff's Office love doing this."
Anyone still interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Family program before Christmas can contact the organization at 816-364-1131 or find more information on their Facebook page.
