BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is doing more to serve its community, for the seventh year in a row, the department has collected toys for children who may not have gotten presents on Christmas this year.
Officers traded in their blue for some red as they continue to spread the holiday joy this season along with the Bedford Memorial Hospital and multiple first responder agencies. They delivered trailers filled with all kinds of toys like bikes, race cars, paint and so much more were on the way to every single elementary school in Bedford. The department delivered to about 350 children.
“No kid should wake up on Christmas morning and not have a present under the tree. So all the surrounding first responder agencies, our local businesses and also citizens, I do want to include the state police in this, we all work together to get it done,” said Major John Wilkes.
“It’s just a continuation of our commitment to the community,” said Captain Shannon Walker
Miss. Virginia Volunteer also made a visit and helped to deliver toys. She competed for the title as Miss Bedford Volunteer, and she says she’s loved giving back to a community that gave so much to her.
“Being here and being able to go to different elementary schools and pass out these toys and see the impact, even though we don’t necessarily interact with the kids, knowing that these presents are going to make a huge impact for some of these kids that might not have had a Christmas otherwise, brings me a lot of joy, and I know the community a lot of joy,” said Haleig Hurst, Miss. Virginia Volunteer 2025.
The sheriffs office has already begun collecting toys and donations for next year, and it asks if anyone at home would like to donate to call the sheriffs office to give that donation.