Children go Christmas shopping with Chester County sheriff.
EAST MARLBOROUGH >> Christmas came early for the children at the Chester County Family Academy in West Chester.
On Dec. 8, 95 children got the chance to “Shop With The Sheriff” at the Walmart in Kennett Square. The children shopped for their families, guided by sheriff’s deputies and volunteers. They each got $100, money that came from fundraising events of the sheriff’s department, and from Walmart grants.
“This is a tradition,” said Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh. “This is one of the best days for these kids. A lot of these children come from very challenging backgrounds. This is a highlight for them. It is really special.”
The kids were brought over to the event in two school buses and accompanied by a parade of sheriff’s deputies, who drove over with lights flashing and sirens blaring into the Walmart parking lot.
As the children disembarked, scores of deputies and many volunteers in yellow shirts greeted them with a high five tunnel that extended almost to the rear of the store.
Welsh said the kids buy gifts only for their friends and families, but there is another event in which benefactors enable them to buy things for themselves.
Paula Ayala, a secondgrader at the academy, shopped with Welsh who pushed her around the store in a shopping card, said she was having fun.
The funds for the event, now in its fifth year, came from various organizations solicited by Welsh and others. In addition, Walmart matched each child’s $50 with another $50. Welsh said the $100 is the designated grant for each child, but often the officers help if the purchases go over, and they often just by something special for the child.
As the children shopped, practical choices such as pajamas, slippers, blankets, and gloves were popular items.
When shopping was completed, the children returned on school buses to the Elks Club in West Chester, where a posse of volunteers helped them wrap the gifts. They got a lunch, and got their photos taken with Santa.