CityView Magazine

46 | November/December 2015 from seeing the kids reactions, is see- ing the looks of relief on the parents. "We stress about this kind of stuff all year," expressed Patterson. "ere were a couple of other families in our com- munity who were selected, and we all got together and were saying, 'Can you believe this?'" She said that once she and the other parents were over the initial shock that such a program existed, they did what single parents do best: researched the deals and maximized their budget. Pat- terson was partnered with a volunteer who helped her do just that and really connected with Lt. Leake at her first ex- perience with the program in 2012 and have stayed friends since, she said. "I talked a lot about where we were at that point in our lives, what I was aspir- ing to do, what had happened leading up to that point and my goals," said Pat- terson. e single mom was in nursing school at the time, trying to finish up her degree. "I think that's what cultivat- ed our relationship aer the Shop with a Sheriff program. ey knew what I was trying to do and aer keeping in con- tact, they watched me do exactly what I said." And when tragedy struck Patterson and her family again last year and right before the holidays, the sheriff 's depart- ment went beyond the Shop with a Sher- iff program and came to her new home with toiletries and food. "ey have beautiful hearts," she said. "And their hearts for the commu- nity show." Now that Patterson is back on her feet, she donates, tells all of her neighbors in need about the program, and even plans to volunteer at this year's Shop with a Sheriff event. "If I hadn't had that experience, I wouldn't know what it was like to be on the receiving end," she professed. "And now that I'm able to be the giver, it makes it that much more rewarding for me." Donations to the Shop with a Sheriff program can be made at any BB&T loca- tion. One hundred percent of the dona- tions go to helping families in need and people who donate are encouraged to see where their money goes by volunteering on the first Saturday of December. CV LIVING BALANCE STUDIOS IS EXPANDING! • MORE SPACE • MORE EXPERIENCE • MORE WAYS FOR YOU TO CREATE YOUR SELF-CARE! LIVING BALANCE STUDIOS The "Spa" Workout Experience SPECIALIZING IN PRIVATE AND SMALL GROUP CLASSES.OFFERING YOGA, PILATES (BOTH MAT AND REFORMER), PIYO, REIKI, YOGA THERAPY, AYURVEDIC CONSULTATIONS, AND THAI MASSAGES. (434) 409-6415 • www.LivingBalanceStudiosNC.com LOCATED AT MCPHERSON CHURCH SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER 201 S. MCPHERSON CHURCH ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303

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