Nestled in Stoney Creek and colored with flashing blue and red lights throughout the evening, one postsecondary school doubled down over the weekend as a satellite site for North Pole activity.
Carter County Sheriff’s Auxiliary members, deputies and volunteers played the roles of Santa’s elves to a tee Saturday night for the inaugural toy distribution for Carter County Elementary school children at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Elizabethton campus.
Since their creation in March, the Auxiliary started their work in the county to provide Christmas to children throughout the Carter County Schools district.
Any new endeavor can be interesting to say the least, Sheriff Dexter Lunceford told the Elizabethton Star Saturday night. But with the feedback from the community, the first project for the organization was deemed a success as families maneuvered through the school, picking out toys and having their pictures taken with Santa Claus.
“This went far beyond my expectations, especially considering it is the first year,” Lunceford said. “We were able to provide Christmas for around 160 kids. I think we may wind up with a few more than that. The best part about this night is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. The biggest thing we’re doing tonight is letting children know the real reason for Christmas is for the birth of Jesus Christ. The presents are secondary. This night has been a tremendous blessing. I can’t say enough about the businesses and the support we’ve received and everyone involved with the Auxiliary. We’ve busted the bubble.”
Over the months, Auxiliary members worked with various businesses, organizations and community leaders to raise funds to purchase toys for children in the school district. Various businesses served as drop-off points for residents to donate toys. Funds were also raised to purchase items from different businesses, including Elizabethton Wal-Mart. Just days before the event, Grindstaff Motors provided a fleet of vans to pick up 490 toys that were purchased and used for the distribution.
Officials from the sheriff’s department spent time with residents before they entered the conference area. Children were escorted through the room by individuals and were able to pick out toys. Siblings of children part of the toy distribution also received a gift.
From Steve and Ashley Grindstaff lending a helping hand during the night, to deputies and volunteers working with children, Auxiliary Chairperson Susan Reece couldn’t help but to let a smile escape taking in the night’s efforts.
“It has been worth all of the hard work,” Reece said. “This has been an overwhelming night for the workers. I’d say we may be a little bit more excited than the children. I just can’t say enough about how thankful we are for all the support from everyone in the community.”
Saturday is just the first of a long line of projects coming down the pipeline for the organization, according to Sheriff Lunceford.
“We’ve got some big plans for the future,” Lunceford said. “If anybody wants to give back, we encourage you to get involved. Either by looking online or stopping by the Sheriff’s Office. They can even call me if they want to get involved.”
Reece added the next project coming up will be assisting children going through hard times in the winter.
For more information about the organization or how to get involved, visit the Carter County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Facebook page.