BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Police in the city of Brooksville are stepping up to help in a different way, by answering the call to help needy families this Christmas.
Detective Tracey Shofield works for the Brooksville police department and he saidl, "it’s all part of being a police officer and serving our community."
And for some parents, like single mom Rachael Fiscus, the holidays can be tough.
"No one out there really sees how hard it is," she said.
But police in Brooksville do. That's why the "Police and Kids Foundation" is working with Walmart and donors, to help make it a little easier.
Donor, Chandler Irvin of Irvin & Petty law firm explains why they helped.
"Maybe it makes it a little bit easier or takes pressure off somewhere in someone else’s life."
With the help of local schools showing officers which families needed help, nearly 40 Brooksville kids were chosen with the money available, and parents were given $100 per child to help them buy Christmas gifts.
Those parents came to the Brooksville Walmart on Sunday where they bought everything from bicycles to small TVs, toys, clothes, shoes, and stocking stuffers.
Detective Shofield who started the Police and Kids Foundation said, "I’ve been doing this for 28 years, and its always emotional."
Many parents were in tears as they went through the check out line.
A mother of four said, "I feel blessed and really appreciate the Brooksville police department."
Shofield said, "99 percent of us aren’t those horrible guys, we don’t just write tickets. We have to do that stuff because that's our job but there’s so much more to law enforcement."
The Police and Kids Foundation gives officers the ability to help others in an even bigger way than they already do by allowing them to give back to the ones they protect and serve.
