Housing and Development Newsletter
The 26 on-duty and off-duty volunteer shopping buddies were made up of sheriff’s deputies, custody deputies, district attorney investigators, and an emergency communications call-taker.
A young girl was upset because the price of a laptop computer was over her budget, but an additional donor helped to cover the cost. In the photo is Sheriff’s Deputy Johnson, left. (Courtesy photo)
“The SBCDSA feels very honored that Walmart management reached out to us, said Jazzmine DeForest, SBCDSA vice president. We couldn’t be more thrilled to help coordinate an event that brightens the lives of children who have been through some tough times in their young lives and this year especially.
More than two dozen children in need received a special Christmas this year when they were taken on a shopping spree Tuesday by members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff s Office and the Deputy Sheriff s Association.
The 26 children were paired with deputies and others who took them shopping for gifts at Lompoc s Walmart during the annual Shop with a Cop event, according to Jazzmine Deforest, spokeswoman for the association.Â
In its 10th year, the event was started to create positive interactions and relationships between children and law enforcement. This year s event had particular significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We couldn t be more thrilled to help coordinate an event that brightens the lives of children who have been through some tough times in their young lives, and this year, especially, Deforest said. From distance learning to parents losing their jobs to lack of community and school events like sports and dance, 2020 has been very hard on so many