More than 100 children will have a special Christmas this year thanks to the Sheriff’s Office’s “Santa’s Shoppers” program.
Dozens of police cars rolled into the parking lot of Walmart Tuesday evening with their lights and sirens on, but to the onlookers caught off guard by their sudden arrival, there was nothing to be concerned about.
Rather, 105 Smith County children were being escorted by “Santa’s Shoppers,” enlisted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Police Departments of Carthage, Gordonsville and South Carthage, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, who were tasked with making Christmas for the youngsters a little more merry.
The Santa’s Shoppers program is a joint effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, funded by donations, to provide Christmas presents to children who otherwise might not receive anything.
Around 30 children were helped in 2014, increasing to 41 in 2015.
This year, more than double the number of children were helped than the past two years combined.
