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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Children from across Belmont County learned that Santa's helpers sometimes wear badges when they shopped with deputies from the sheriff's office at Walmart on Saturday.
Sheriff David Lucas and his deputies met with families at nearby Eat'n Park, where they had breakfast before the shopping spree.
"We've been doing it for quite a few years, and it has grown. It started out small, and this year we're celebrating the season with 73 families with kids," Lucas said. "We've got families here, the kids are small and we've seen them year after year, then we have new ones every year. We're growing. Starting out, I remember we used to have 15 or 20, now we're at 73 so every year it grows a little bit.
"We're able to do this due to our community who donate to our Shop with a Deputy. This is all done by donations, and I want to thank our community and our residents and our businesses," Lucas said.
He said deputies and the corrections officers from the jail participated, as well as outreach coordinators and young people from the Explorers hands-on program who are interested in law enforcement.
"They're all here on their own time, donating their time for Shop with a Deputy," Lucas said.
Lucas spoke about the value of socializing young people with deputies.
"We go around and we just be ourselves and just socialize and talk to them and show we're no different than anybody else. We're here for them and we're here to celebrate the season and Christmas with them and hopefully we make it a little happier for them and help them out," he said. "A lot of families don't have it as good as others and we want to help. ... It's a really nice day, and we get to spend time with kids in our community and show that we're human, too. We have family, we have kids."
He said anyone wishing to learn more or donate to the program should call his office at 740-695-7933.
Families and children were excited.
Megan Johnson of Barnesville brought her two children. She said this was their first time participating.
"We're just hoping for a good day. It's a nice program," she said. "That's nice to be able to hang out with them and to see that cops aren't bad. ... My son was excited to come."
Ella Gorshe of Yorkville brought her children, Gage, 9, and Honna, 5, and said they look forward to the day.
"I think it's awesome that they do this for the kids every year," she said. "We was here a couple years ago and the kids loved it. ... I just want to say thank you to the Belmont County Sheriff's Office for doing this."
Jessica McDonall of St. Clairsville said her children were excited about toys, shopping and spending one-on-one time with law enforcement.
"I love what they do every year for the kids. Honestly it's for the kids. It's great," she said. "I love what they do, socializing kids that not all cops are bad. They're not going to hurt you."
Helena O'Brien of Wheeling, shopping with her grandchildren, agreed.
"I think it's a very good idea. It's very nice," she said.
Melanie Nightingale of Martins Ferry also brought some fun-loving youngsters.
"I really appreciate them helping me with my grandkids," she said. "It's wonderful. It's a blessing. ... It's been two years since we were here, and we got a chance to come back."
Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Resource Officer Harley Johnston assisted in spreading the Christmas cheer.
"I love it. This is one of my favorite times of the year," he said. "We have a great time, the kids love it. All the deputies love it."
Walmart Manager Chastity Lehew said the deputies and children are always welcome.
"We love to have them come. It warms my heart," she said. "Just happy to have them, and we'll do whatever we can to help them."