ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has recently received $4,600 to go toward its Shop with a Deputy program.
The RCSO posted photos to its Facebook page Monday of young Emma G. Watts delivering a $1,200 check to Sheriff Mark Gulledge.
Watts, daughter of Sgt. Richie Watts, makes and sells soap throughout the year to donate to the program, which helps provide Christmas presents for local families.
Last week, Chris Jackson and his wife, Judy, delivered a check for $3,400 to the sheriff’s office for the program.
Jackson, a 25-year patrol officer with the Laurinburg Police Department, is the organizer of the annual Back the Blue Ride, which raises money for similar programs in Richmond and Scotland counties.
This year’s ride raised a total of $14,000. The ride has generated more than $26,000 in its three years.
Click here to read about and see photos from this year’s ride in September.
Chief Deputy Jay Childers said the sheriff’s office has also been receiving donations from local churches and civic organizations.
Childers said RCSO doesn’t have a specific fundraising goal in mind.
“Once we get close to the time, we divide the funds to try and give each child at least $250,” Childers said. “Once we divide it up, we determine how many kids we can (help).”
The RCSO Shop with a Deputy program was started in 2020 under late sheriff James Clemmons.
To donate to the program, visit the sheriff’s office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call Lt. Mike Childers at 910-417-8639.
Last week, Jackson also presented a check to Rockingham Police Chief George Gillenwater.
This will be the 10th year for RPD’s Shop with a Cop program.
The rest of the money was split between the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office and Laurinburg Police Department, Jackson said.
Hamlet Police Chief Dennis Brown said his department will be doing a similar program this year.
