Nick Blank
News-Leader
Children got to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and Sheriff Bill Leeper in Yulee Dec. 17 during the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Santa with a Badge event.
Children enjoyed coloring activities with Nassau County Jail staff, saw the NCSO marine unit, talked to deputies and the Grinch, and met K9s in the Target parking lot. PetSmart donated stuffed animals to children. The agency hosted its “Shop with a Cop” event recently.
NCSO Deputy Dale Allen said the event was great to interact with local children so they can see law enforcement from a different perspective.
“Every year, we try to give back whenever we can and have the community come out and see what we do,” Allen said.
Keilandra Garcia arrived with her husband and 8 month-old-son. She called the event “really nice.”
“I wanted a picture with Santa, so he has it as a memory as he gets older,” she said.
Glenn and Cheryl Hermes brought their 10-year-old granddaughter, Isabella, out to meet Santa, and her favorite part was meeting the K9s. Isabella said she wanted an iPad, dinosaurs and stuffed animals for Christmas.
“More than anything, she loves the dogs,” Cheryl Hermes said.
“We love the police getting involved with the community,” Glenn Hermes added.
Steven and Kasie Shafer brought their children, Char-lotte, Owen, Andrew and Ben.
“I was excited to see what (Santa with a Badge) was all about,” Kasie Shafer said. “This is our second year. It’s something to do, it was a nice time. (NCSO) has a lot on their plate and we saw a lot of nice activities for the kids.”
Owen and Ben wanted Lego sets for Christmas and Charlotte wanted a doll. Andrew’s request was a little more complicated.
“A drone!” he said.
“That’s news to me as well,” Kasie Shafer laughed.