Santa Claus received some assistance last week from the Yazoo City Police Department in his delivery of toys to many local children.
Police Chief Jay Winstead said Santa Claus made his rounds to a number of Yazoo neighborhoods to spread joy, love and a few gifts with children. The Yazoo City Police Department helped with escorts and a few police “elves” to help hand out presents.
“I cannot put into words the feeling it gave my heart,” Winstead said. “To see some of the smiling faces of our children is heartwarming. It reminded me that there is something higher than ourselves, and that is how we need to treat each other.”
Winstead said Santa Claus also left a few gifts for his police elves.
“If you see an officer, flag them down and let your child receive a gift,” Winstead said.
Also, thanks to local donations, the police department received several gift cards to purchase a few gifts to have on standby for local children. Sgt. Joseph Branch was featured in an article in The Yazoo Herald upon his arrival to the department. Winstead said Branch often uses his own money to purchase small toys to give to children within the community. Whether it be a response call or a general visit to a neighborhood, the small gifts show children a moment of peace and a new friend with a police officer.
After the article was published, many local donations arrived to the police department to assist with those gift purchases.
