There’ll be police lights and sirens in the Palm Coast Target shopping center’s parking lot Thursday evening at about 6 p.m. Not to worry. It won’t be a policing incident, but the latest edition of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office‘s Christmas with a Deputy.
Some 40 Flagler County children will be holiday shopping with Sheriff’s deputies the evening of Dec, 15 at the Target store on State Road 100.
The Christmas With A Deputy program received broad support from Target and the community this year. The aim was to identify low income families or families facing economic hard times. The children of those families will be able to holiday shop Thursday evening through funding provided by the community and a $2,500 grant from Target.
“This is absolutely great. We are excited that we are going to be able to help so many more youngsters this year,” Flagler County Sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Jones, who organized the program three years ago, said.
In its first year, 14 local children benefitted from the donations. The support for the program has grown along with the number of needy children. About 11,000 people in Flagler County live below the federal poverty line. The number is larger when it includes the working poor and near-poor.
“Sgt. Jones has worked tirelessly to make this a success. The community support throughout the year through donations has enabled this program to serve so many youngsters,” Sheriff Don Fleming said.
Deputies will be driving children up to the store with lights and sirens. The shopping begins immediately afterward.
Anon says
Good job Sgt. Jones and thank you to the rest of the police that help out with this program
Lisa McDevitt via Facebook says
That’s awesome !
Deborah Quinto Hairstylist via Facebook says
Great!Yes Thanks to all the generous people in Flagler and Palm Coast!
MELISSA COLLINS says
HOW DO YOU RECCOMEND A FAMILY/CHILD FOR THIS EVENT?
suewho1010 says
I would love to know how the families are chosen. I would of felt so Blessed if my child was a part of this program . :(
Poohbear77 says
This is a great program for those who’s children are truly needy. The sad thing is that I know for a fact there is one recipients mother who indeed abused the system to get something free for her so called needy child. The said parent lives with her boyfriend whom supports her by working full time making $21 an hour working 60 hours a week,and is driving a brand new truck. The mother also receives nearly $400 a month in child support for the child and refuses to even attempt to find work for herself claiming she disabled with no medical proof! And to top it all off this mom has also bought the receiving child a gaming computer for Christmas for $600, and the child is also having Christmas at the fathers home as well as many extended families homes! This just makes me sick! There are children in our community in shelters and parents whom are single working full time for minimum wage with multiple children whom have barley nothing after paying monthly bills to lkeep a roof over their heads! I don’t know how this woman was able to pull the covers over this organizations eyes but I also don’t commend Flagler county in any of their screening process for ones to receive this blessing for the holidays. There are thousands of children whom rightfully deserve this in our county verses those who get it and don’t!
keisha1970 says
How do you register for this awesome program Sgt.Jones
keisha1970 says
That’s terrible that is why so many programs get cut. Sad