LEXINGTON, NC -- An annual tradition in Davidson County pairs law enforcement officers with children to go on a shopping spree.

  • The event is called "Give a Kid a Christmas," and this is the 22nd year the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Davidson County Sheriffs Office, Lexington Police Department and Thomasville Police Department has put it on
  •  A group of 50 children were nominated by the Davidson County Department of Social Services. Each child received a $200 spending amount to choose their special Christmas gifts to take home with them
  • The money used during "Give a Kid a Christmas" has been collected through a number of fundraisers put on by the departments throughout the year

The event is called "Give a Kid a Christmas," and this is the 22nd year the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Davidson County Sheriffs Office, Lexington Police Department and Thomasville Police Department has put it on. North Carolina Highway Safety Patrol Trooper Ned Moultire said they want the community to see that they care.

"An event like this is very good for us to let go ahead and let the community know that we do love our community," Moultrie said.

The event is put on at Walmart for at-risk children living in Davidson County. A group of 50 children were nominated by the Davidson County Department of Social Services. Each child received a $200 spending amount to choose their special Christmas gifts to take home with them.

 

 

 

While some children are fascinated by video games and toys, Trooper Moultrie, said some of these kids are looking for what they need, rather than what they want.

"You expect a small child to come in and want to get toys but some of the things over the years that I've seen is that child comes in and says, "Hey can I get a space heater?" and I say what do you know about heat, and they say we don't have heat at home," Moultrie explained.

These kids would likely not wake up with presents on Christmas if it weren't for this event. Jasmin Saunders, who came to the event with her four children, says buying presents for all of her kids can be very difficult this time of year.

"This means a lot for me because I have four children, and I try to do the best I can with all four of them and this is just a little extra help that I really great appreciate," Saunders said.

The money used during "Give a Kid a Christmas" has been collected through a number of fundraisers put on by the departments throughout the year. Once the event is over, they start fundraising for the following year.