ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — For the third year in a row, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office is selling patches to help fund its "Shop'n with the Sheriff" event.
"It's a worthwhile cause. I mean these kids are just so excited", said Russell Barker, the sheriff of Anderson County.
The event allows kids who may not get Christmas gifts to shop with deputies for presents, but the sheriff's office doesn't have a budget line for it. So these patches help bring joy to the kids.
"We've started coming up with creative ways other than just mooching money. So we started doing the Christmas patch. This'll be the third one we've done and it's always a big success. (It's) kind of a novelty type item," said Barker
This year is different from previous years. The department reached out to local artist Tamara Burns to design the new patch.
"The first year we did a Christmas tree, and the second year was the Grinch and that one was so popular that we decided we'd do the Grinch again," Barker said.
The kids are chosen for this event by making sure that they're not part of other programs like Angel Tree or Toys for Tots. School Resource Officers talk with counselors and see the day-in and day-out needs of the kids to help figure out if they'll be part of the event.
And even though there is a price limit on the gifts kids can buy, Barker said some deputies are willing to go the extra mile to make sure children have a good Christmas.
"If you get lucky enough to catch the right deputy, those guys, you know they're like, 'Alright go ahead and get it,' and they pay the difference out of their own pocket. So it's pretty neat", said Barker.
The patches are on sale while supplies last. They cost $10 and are available at the Anderson County Sheriff's Office.