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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The COVID-19 pandemic is altering nearly every holiday event, but it has not reduced the community's generosity.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Belmont County Sheriff's Department will hold its yearly Shop with a Deputy event at the St. Clairsville Walmart.
This year's event will be held in memory of former sheriff Tom McCort, who died in April. He served 20 years as Belmont County's sheriff, from 1984-2004.
Sheriff David Lucas said it is important to go forward with holiday giving.
"(W)e didn't want to not have it this year, because this year we are helping 69 kids in the Ohio Valley," he said.
Each child will have $100 to spend. Lucas added that last year's event helped 40 children.
"We're doing 29 more kids than what we did last year, and this is all by donation," Lucas said, thanking his staff for their time and effort. "Because Christmas is about the kids. We'll be there when they come in, and we'll be there when they go through the line at checkout."
Ordinarily, deputies escort children and their families around the store.
They will remain socially distanced this year instead, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Christmas is about giving and that's what we're here for, and all our supporters," Lucas said, noting that all precautions such as masking and social distancing will be observed. "They will be given gift cards, and family units themselves will go shopping at that time for the kids and for the family, and then they'll check out there. We'll be involved, and I want to thank all of our supporters and donors in Belmont County."
Lucas also said while the need has increased, the community has also come through.
"We've had donations that were sizable, and we've had a lot more people donating. That was why we was able to increase this year to 69 kids," he said, adding that any additional donations will go toward next year's event.