McKenzie kids go on shopping spree with first responders
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – It’s a day most thought they would never see, Santa being escorted by law enforcement.
However, Santa was not being arrested, instead he was celebrating Christmas.
Thursday night, the City of McKenzie celebrated its annual Christmas for Kids.
Every year first responders in McKenzie team up with the Angel Tree program to raise funds that allow children who may not have a Christmas to receive presents.
“We have 26 kids tonight shopping and they get to spend $250 a piece on themselves or a family member,” said McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin.
So Thursday night, the toy aisles were packed with kids and various first responders.
“Different agencies are involved tonight. It’s primarily our McKenzie Fire Department and police department. But we partnered with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office,” Griffin said.
This year, around $8,000 was raised in total. The funds are raised through varying methods including donations and fundraising with even the smallest McKenzie residents donating big amounts.
“We had a little girl named Lily. She wanted to do something for kids, so she sold lemonade. She had a lemonade stand and raised over $400 raised to donate to this program,” Griffin said.
Griffin says this program also allows children to see law enforcement or the fire department in a more positive environment outside of emergency calls.
“So this is a way to positively impact the kids at a young age to realize that first responders are their friends,” Griffin said.
This was the first year McKenzie held Christmas for Kids in more than a decade.
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