Dozens of elderly and shut-in residents of Lee County received visits and special treats this past holiday season, compliments of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and plenty of students attending Lee County Schools.
The long-standing program involves patrol deputies, court security, drug team personnel and other department members, in service to many local residents who are on the Sheriff’s “Keep Check” list. These are our area residents who live alone, usually without family nearby. The gift basket program added student participation in 2015 and served roughly 100 people this year.
Each year, the officers hand-deliver holiday gift baskets, filled with fruit and home-made gifts. This year, students from each of the school district’s elementary schools, as well as Lee County High School, played a role by adding their own tree ornaments, handmade greeting cards and treats to the baskets.
The holiday gift baskets bring cheer to everyone who is a part of the process. As Sgt. Jynn Bridges of the department’s community policing unit notes, the program helps “teach the students that the season is about other people, and not what you’re given, but what you’re giving.”
Learn more about this special program in the Lee County Schools’ December 15 Inspired newsletter.
