Several Marion County sheriff’s deputies took part last week in the 4th Annual Shop with a Cop event.
The deputies met with families at the Wal-Marts on S.W. 19th Avenue Road and in Silver Springs Shores, where 20 children were able to make their Christmas dreams a reality.
“Thanks to Wal-Mart’s cooperation, the children were able to go around the stores with deputies to do some Christmas shopping for themselves and even pick out gifts for their families,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook after the successful events. “Both Wal-Marts went above and beyond to facilitate and host this event.”
The stores went so far as to allow the families and deputies space for meeting in the garden departments and opened dedicated checkout lanes for them. Wal-Mart personnel also put together full Christmas meals to send home with each of the families for Christmas Day.
“We love to see our community come together to make the holidays special for our children!” the sheriff’s office said in its Facebook post.