Wagoner County Deputies Take Kids Shopping For Christmas Presents

The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office is bringing Christmas joy to 16 kids from Porter and Okay by taking them shopping for Christmas gifts. It’s a holiday shopping spree that's helping families in need.

Deputy Jarrod Busch and 10-year-old Blake were on a mission. They're scouring Walmart for the perfect gifts, guided by Blake's handwritten Christmas list with items like "something shiny for grandma."

"It's shiny," said Blake.

Blake and 15 other kids get $150 to spend on presents, and for most of them, family comes first.

"They're more concerned buying for their brothers and sisters and their parents than they are their self," said Sheriff Chris Elliot.

He says giving less fortunate families a little something to open on Christmas morning is worth every dollar raised by the Fraternal Order of Police.

"That joy in their face knowing that 'I'm gonna help my family have a Christmas,' you can't put a dollar amount on what that's worth," said Elliot.

As Blake's shopping cart fills up, he thinks about how his family will react when they see all the gifts he picked out.

"Be very surprised and happy," said Blake.

This is the third year for Deputy Jarrod Busch to shop with kids like Blake. He said seeing the joy they help provide is what motivates him year-round.

"That's really the whole reason we get into this job: to help people out, help the community, try to make it better," said Busch.

In a way, he gets to play Santa for a kid whose name certainly isn't on the naughty list.

"I'm on the nice list," Blake said.