Susan Gentry, a Collier County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention specialist, organized the event, sponsored by the Collier County Police Activity League (PAL).
The children received $100 each to select items for their parents, siblings and a gift for themselves. Around three dozen CCSO members, along with their family members, helped the children select and purchase items.
The shopping spree began early in the morning when the CCSO members and children met at Kmart, 4995 Golden Gate Parkway, Golden Gate. Each child was paired up with an agency member who assisted in making sure everyone in the child's family had a gift. Before checkout, each member/child pair met up with a deputy dressed up as the Buddy the Elf character for individual holiday photos at the store’s Christmas tree display.
The children and CCSO members then headed over to the Barrington Terrace Assisted Living Facility in East Naples where the kids sang Christmas carols to the residents and enjoyed a pizza lunch.
Photos by Kristi Lester/CCSO(5)
