DSP grants Christmas wishes to local families in need

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Walmart in Georgetown was taken over by a group of Santa’s elves or rather Delaware State Police helpers whose mission is to cross off some presents from a few Christmas lists.

Cpl. Juanita Huey-Smith explains, “Many of these families are in hard times. They may have to make the choice of whether they are going to buy groceries or buy a toy and of course groceries and the electric bill and the heating are going to win out.”

It’s all for a good cause making sure no child goes without a gift under the tree. It’s also a task that the volunteers love doing.

Local volunteer Jo Ellen Algier says, “It makes you feel wonderful because they may not have a Christmas without this, so that’s a great feeling.”

With a detailed list in hand, volunteers spent the morning collecting toys and presents each kid asked for. And by the end of it every cart was filled to the brim.

They’re presents that will allow state troopers to take a little detour from their normal job.

Cpl. Huey-Smith explains, “A lot of it is spent seeing the worst for people day in and day out whether it be a car accident or having a family dispute but that’s always their worst time so I love the fact that we’re able to engage with families in a positive way.”

So while the whole idea of this effort is to bring joy to needy families in the area, it’s actually providing a lot more than that.

Algier adds, “I hope it brings them happiness because it made me happy to be able to do that for them.”

Now that all the shopping is complete, Delaware State Police and the volunteers will be wrapping the hundreds of gifts on Thursday and then troopers will make special deliveries on Friday.