Giving Waynesboro families facing hardship a happy holiday

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read
Waynesboro's Present Patrol was created to provide families facing economic life challenges or hardships an opportunity to have a better holiday season.
Waynesboro's Present Patrol was created to provide families facing economic life challenges or hardships an opportunity to have a better holiday season.

WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro community successfully held its first Present Patrol event just in time for Christmas.

Present Patrol was created from a shared vision of providing Waynesboro students and families who faced economic life challenges or hardships an opportunity to have a better holiday season, according to a press release from the City of Waynesboro.

"We also have a goal of fostering and maintaining positive relationships with our local law enforcement," the release said.

The Waynesboro Police Department, Waynesboro Public Schools, Waynesboro Sheriff’s Office and the Waynesboro Police Foundation partnered to make this special holiday event for several Kate Collins Middle School students.

A decorated Waynesboro Public Schools bus picked up the students and brought them to Kate Collins, where they met a school chaperone and a Waynesboro police officer. Next, the bus transported the shoppers to Target, where the students could shop for immediate household family members and self. After shopping, the students returned to Kate Collins Middle School. Wrapping stations and volunteers were set up to assist the students in wrapping the gifts.

The families of the students were invited to return to Kate Collins.

"Everyone enjoyed a catered lunch with the students, the volunteers and law enforcement officers," the release said.

Waynesboro's Present Patrol was created to provide families facing economic life challenges or hardships an opportunity to have a better holiday season.
Waynesboro's Present Patrol was created to provide families facing economic life challenges or hardships an opportunity to have a better holiday season.

Each family was gifted a box of non-perishable food items and a gift card to enjoy a holiday meal.

"To all the families involved, thank you for allowing us to be part of your holiday season and sharing your children with us today," the Present Patrol said. "A special thank you to all of our donators from the community. We could not have done this without you. To all of our volunteers, thank you for your time and participation. This event would not have been possible without you. Thank you to Target and the staff for supporting our mission and allowing us to bring our event to your business."

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Giving Waynesboro families facing hardship a happy holiday