After a one year hiatus, due to the pandemic, The Bibb Sheriff’s Office’s annual holiday event, Santa in the Park, returned on Saturday, December 18th, 2021. Making the event even more special was the fact that it was the first time it was held since the Sheriff’s Outreach Section (SOS) moved into its new headquarters on Hazel Street. This year approximately 500 local children/youth attended the event with their families. They were able to select a new toy from Santa’s workshop which included: 30 brand-new bicycles, a variety of games, dolls, sports equipment, electronic devices, and various other assorted toys. Each child was also able to select four brand-new books and received a book bag to carry them home with them. During this event, Book ‘Em gave close to 2,000 brand-new books to children/youth in attendance, as well as the dozen FBLA students from Central High School who volunteered to assist with the event.
Most uplifting was the fact that Book ‘Em was able to raise over $6,000 in less than 48 hours to assist with the purchase of bicycles and other toys to ensure that the maximum number of children could have a very happy holiday season.
Special thanks must be given to the following sponsors and individuals who donated to this effort: Brew Found, Inc.; Powers Law Group; Laurie Lee Cranford; Camilla Dawson; Catherine Hedglin; Louise and Derrel Hazlehurst; Andrea Cooke; Blair Sumrall; Carol Tift; Julie and Joel Goodman; Regina Sweeney; Laura Malcolm; and Jackie Wright.