Some Fairfax County children will kick off their back-to-school shopping by browsing Target with a sheriff’s deputy. The Fairfax Sheriff’s Office is holding its 18th Shop With a Sheriff event this Thursday, when 25 homeless children will get a $300 gift certificate and sheriff deputy shopping partner.
“It takes some of the stress off of the parents by helping them prepare for school and get the items on the back-to-school list,” said Lt. Steve Elbert, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. “They’re going through a tough time.”
Recommended Stories
Elbert said two county shelters — the Katherine K. Hanley and Patrick Henry Family Shelters — give the Sheriff’s Office the names of school-age children who need help getting supplies. Most of the kids are in the first to eighth grade.
The day starts with a breakfast at the county courthouse’s cafeteria, where the kids meet the sheriff’s deputies they’ll shop with. Then, the group heads to Target for a few hours of shopping for new clothes and school supplies.
Elbert said the program has grown over the past 18 years.
“We have started to get sponsors interested,” he said, and that’s let the Sheriff’s Office fund gift cards for more children.
He said schools, banks and the Sheriff’s Office have made donations to fund this year’s shopping. One school, Montessori of Chantilly, held an artwork auction to raise funds, he said. The students will also get backpacks from Costco.
“The Sheriff’s Office is involved in a number of community activities, but this is one of our favorites,” said Sheriff Stan Barry. “To be able to help children in need start the school year right gives everyone a deep sense of satisfaction.”
