YULEE, Fla. – In Nassau County, 150 children Thursday evening each received $100 and got the chance to “Shop with a Cop.”
Young ones were encouraged to pick out plenty of clothes and then a toy. And Sheriff Bill Leeper took on the role of Santa.
“It’s just a night that’s joyful not only for our deputies, but also the children that we shop with to help them get a merry Christmas,” Leeper said.
Joey Dale, a father, said he’s grateful for the shopping spree with his 9-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.
“A little bit of clothes, they’re trying to get the clothes out of the way and get to the toys,” Dale said. “We’re hoping they have a good Christmas and think they will with this ‘Shop with a Cop.’”
The children who attended were from Bryceville Elementary, Callahan Intermediate and Callahan Elementary. The money was raised through the Sheriff’s Office’s foundation charities.
The mission: To give the children a holiday they deserve, while also building a positive relationship between deputies and local youth.
Leeper said they’ll do another event Dec. 8 at the same Walmart in Yulee on State Road 200.