Shop with the Sheriff Helps Homeless Children

Image: 2nd Lt. Alma Smith shops with girl at Target (Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office)

Release: Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office

On Thursday, Aug. 13, a few weeks before school starts, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office will treat 40 children who are homeless to a shopping spree for clothing and school supplies. Since 1992, the Shop with the Sheriff program has partnered with Target in Burke to help children get ready for the upcoming school year.

This year, the children will come from three emergency shelters: Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax, Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Falls Church and Next Steps Family Shelter in Alexandria.

“What I love about Shop with the Sheriff,” said Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid, “is the opportunity for us to engage with the children, to create a bond. We can be positive role models for them and leave a lasting good impression.”

Each child will be paired with a sheriff’s deputy and given a $250 gift card to use toward his or her purchase. The deputies will guide the children toward age-appropriate tops and bottoms, undergarments, shoes, coats and accessories. A child’s parent or guardian usually sends a list of sizes for different items.

One sheriff’s deputy, 2nd Lt. Alma Smith, is a longtime participant in the program. “I enjoy spending time with the kids. They always have questions about our equipment and what we do. Some of the kids, especially the girls, open up to us about their lives. Often they don’t have their dad around, and it really affects them.”

The program is funded through donations from businesses and individuals. In addition to Target, this year’s sponsors include Montessori of Chantilly, Oracle America, Paisano’s, Sheriff’s Benevolent Fund, Fairfax Sheriffs’ Association and SEIU Virginia 512.

For more information about Sheriff’s Office activities in the community, please visit the sheriff’s outreach webpage.