- January 20, 2025
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By: Shannon Martin
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff's Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for the 13th-annual Christmas with a Deputy event. The event focuses on providing Christmas gifts for children in Flagler County who otherwise would not have a Christmas.
This year, there will be two Christmas with a Deputy events. The first will be at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Palm Coast Walmart. The second event will be at 5 p.m. on Dec. 13. That night's activities, including crafts and games, will kick off at the Chiumento, Dwyer, Hertel and Grant law office building. Each participating child will receive gift bags filled with goodies and a Santa hat. Then, over 100 law enforcement vehicles with lights and sirens blaring will form a convoy and head to the Palm Coast Target with 125 children for holiday shopping. In addition to FCSO deputies, officers from Florida Highway Patrol, the Bunnell Police Department, the Flagler Beach Police Department and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission will participate.
Christmas with a Deputy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The program is made possible by donations received from the community and the members of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
From July through December, FSCO employees donate to the Christmas with a Deputy fund through payroll deductions. This year the agency raised $19,266, which Sheriff Rick Staly presented to the Christmas with a Deputy President, FCSO Commander Lou Miceli.
Children are selected to participate in the event by nominations from FCSO employees and Flagler County Schools’ staff.
“Every year we look forward to supporting the Christmas with a Deputy program. This is a wonderful way for us to give back and support our community while building positive relationships between children and law enforcement,” Staly said. “I am proud of our employees who donate their time and money to make this event possible for the children of Flagler County.”