On Dec. 4, LaBelle, Wal-Mart, #6190, hosted the “5th Annual Shop with the Sheriff."
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Hendry County Sheriff’s Office along with Hendry County Sheriff’s Explorer Post, LaBelle Walmart, McDonalds and Dream Jump Party Rentals partnered together to participate in the Shop with the Sheriff event.
Shop with the Sheriff is an annual event that includes elementary and middle school students along with deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. These students are nominated by the school resource officer assigned to each school in partnership with school guidance counselors.
As part of this event, students selected to participate are partnered with a deputy for shopping. Each student receives a $100 gift card to purchase something for themselves or to purchase Christmas gifts for family members and friends. This unique event gives them the opportunity to purchase gifts they might not otherwise be able to. The deputies shop with the children and help them during the decision making process involving their purchases.
Once the children have completed their shopping and made their purchases, it’s a quick trip to the wrapping tables. Each year teachers from the elementary and middle schools volunteer their time to wrap the gifts purchased. Not only do teachers volunteer to wrap gifts but they also interact with the students when they aren’t shopping, playing games, talking and just laughing with them.
Once again, this year, McDonalds generously provided lunch for 26 children and 10 volunteers under a large canvas tent that was provided by Dream Jump Rentals of LaBelle, making for a very pleasant morning and afternoon under the hot sun.
LaBelle Walmart Store #1690, in true LaBelle Walmart fashion, again outdid themselves. Not only did they provide a safe, clean and comfortable environment for the children, they gave each child a gift, a clear back pack that included a gift card along with other fun things. Each year the LaBelle Walmart generously participates and always makes this event extra-special for these children.
“We look forward to this event each year”, said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden, “having that one on one time with the children makes it all worthwhile.”
