Shop With the Sheriff helps some Dougherty County youths have a brighter Christmas

ALBANY — It’s the time of the year for giving and receiving, and that tradition was exemplified on Monday by a group of children who were awarded a shopping spree courtesy of the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office and generous donors.

For some of the children, who were treated to a meal at Tokyo restaurant before heading across the street to Target for a shopping spree, it was a chance to buy something for family members.

That was on the mind of 10-year-old Janelle Ford, who was picking up gifts for several relatives.

“I’m going to buy two shaving kits, one for my granddad and one for my step-dad,” she said.

Janelle also was looking for some Nerf guns and Play-Doh during the shopping outing.

“This is fun,” she said.

Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul initiated the Shop With the Sheriff Program around 2000 while he was working with young people as a deputy under former Sheriff Jamil Saba. Sproul’s enthusiasm was evident Monday as he welcomed children to the restaurant and later read a Biblical story to the elementary school-age children while wearing his signature white cowboy hat.

“This is my favorite day of the year,” Sproul said. “It’s almost hard to put it in words … to let the kids know there are people who really really care for them. There’s so many mixed feelings in all this.

“This is what the season is about: thinking about others.”

Each of the more than 30 children received $150 toward purchasing Christmas gifts for themselves and others. Students are referred by Dougherty County School System personnel, and the sheriff’s office makes the final selection.

The generosity is made possible through proceeds raised during an annual golf tournament and through donations made by members of the public. Many of the children would be unable to have gifts for the Christmas holiday without the program.

“These are kids we’re getting to know over the school year,” Sproul said. “I just want to thank all the sponsors of our golf tournament. Up to this morning people have given us money to buy these gifts.”

For sheriff’s Lt. Anthony Crimbley, who has participated in several of the events, Shop With the Sheriff is an opportunity to help others receive Christmas joy the same as his five children.

“I want them to have the same experience as my kids,” Crimbley said. “Seeing the smiles on these kids’ faces means more than anything. It’s a big event for us because it’s giving back to the less-fortunate kids.

“It’s (part of) community policing, letting kids know that there is more to law enforcement than locking up people, and helping kids have a merry Christmas.”

Albany Police Cpl. Dramoski Franklin also has participated in several of the annual Shop with the Sheriff events and was excited about this year.

“It means the world to me, to actually see kids who may not have a Christmas have this opportunity, to help them have a good Christmas,” he said “To me that’s what it’s all about. It’s heart-warming because most of these kids are thinking about a little sister or a big brother while they’re shopping. It’s kind of what the season’s about.”

Like Janelle Ford, Trizette Jenkins, 10, had others beside herself on her list, and the first item she placed in her shopping cart was a toy car for a cousin.

“This is good,” she said of the special day.

Although he has been donating to the effort for several years, Ricky Shipp, owner of Shipp’s Building Contractors, rarely has joined the law enforcement personnel and children during the shopping spree. On Monday he was on hand at Target to experience the joy for himself.

“This year I decided to come out and hang out with the kids,” he said. “It’s been a real warming experience, to see all these kids get things they normally wouldn’t this time of year.”

The children also get to have positive interactions with law enforcement officers, and Shipp said he thinks that will positively affect the community.

“I’m sure they’re going to go back and tell other kids how law enforcement (officers) helped them,” he said. “We need this in Albany at this time. This is a big plus.”

As he has for more than 10 years, Tokyo restaurant owner Han Kim donated the meals for the gathering. When he heard about Shop With the Sheriff, the restaurateur decided to do his part for the occasion.

“I like to help out the community,” said Kim, who has operated the restaurant for 14 years. “I think everybody should do something.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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