CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 45 And in a time when an officer's duty and the media portrayals collide, Perez noted that these deep-founded relation- ships are the only hope in restoring the public's trust in the people who want to protect them. "We're letting them know that we're here for them," said Sgt. Perez. And that's not something they take lightly. Not only does their department put on the holiday event, but Lt. Leake and her staff created the Shop with a Sheriff Motorcycle Ride, one of the big- gest fundraisers for the program. ey also just held their 10th annual ride in September, which raised approximately $6,200 for the cause. "All of these kids have a story," con- fessed Lt. Leake. "It's heartwarming and sometimes it's heartbreaking." Families are recommended for the program by the social workers in each school and then interviewed by officers from the department to determine their need. For Nikki Patterson, a single mother of two children, the need came in 2012 when she became homeless aer losing her job and then again in 2014 aer her home was destroyed by a fire. "It was such a blessing because we had nothing," said Patterson. "We were using all of our resources to make sure that we had a place to live and we had to re-buy everything: washcloths, towels, things that you don't really think about because you have them year aer year. I focused on making sure that my kids had clothes, so we didn't have any mon- ey le over to do Christmas." e selected families are given around $150 for each child between the ages of five to 15, but are able to spend the money on whatever necessities are needed and usually have money le over for a toy or two. "I distinctly remember my son, who was 11 at the time and growing out of everything!" exclaimed Patterson. "We only got him clothes that year, because that's what he needed." She said she bought mostly clothes for her daughter as well, but was also able to buy her first Barbie doll, a First Lady edition, which she was elated to have. Lt. Leake and Sgt. Perez agree that their favorite part about the day, aside The Law Firm oF margiT m. hicks, Pa 1013 arsenaL avenue, FayeTTeviLLe 910.829.1400 www.FayeTTeviLLedivorceaTTy.com 2015 Burglar Alarms Fire Alarms Camera Systems Access Systems Central Vacuum Systems 24 Hour Local U.L. Monitoring Station 127 Hay Street˖Fayetteville, NC˖28301 (910) 483-1196 www.HolmesSecurity.net I Want You To Get a Holmes Security Alarm System! Since 1908 Burglar Fire Alarms Camera Access Central Systems 24 Hour Monitoring I Want You To Get a Holmes Security Alarm System! Burglar Alarms Fire Alarms Camera Systems Access Systems Central Vacuum Systems 24 Hour Local U.L. Monitoring Station 127 Hay Street˖Fayetteville, NC˖28301 (910) 483-1196 www.HolmesSecurity.net I Want You To Get a Holmes Security Alarm System! Since 1908 Burglar Alarms Fire Alarms Camera Systems Access Systems Central Vacuum Systems 24 Hour Local Monitoring 127 Hay Street˖Fayetteville, NC˖28301 (910) 483-1196 www.HolmesSecurity.net I Want You To Get a Holmes Security Alarm System! Since 1908 I Want You To Get A Holmes Security Alarm System! • Burglar Alarms • Fire Alarms • Camera Systems • Access Systems • Home Automation • 24 Hour Local U.L. Monitoring Station

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