The Douglas County 2006 "Christmas For Kids" Program, hosted by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was a huge success this year. Deputies and civilians were on hand to deliver gifts to around 69 families and over 200 children, on December 18 and 19. It was very heart warming to see the looks on the kids' faces when a deputy pulled up in a patrol car and unloaded bags of toys for them and their families.

Our Christmas For Kids program, which was developed about four years ago, provides gifts to families facing hard times and in need of extra care during the holiday season. This program, while organized and coordinated by the Sheriff's Office would not have been possible if were not for the generosity of the community. All the sponsorship and funds come from the generosity of those that live and work in Douglas County. Many different departments within Douglas County government also helped sponsor families.

We were also able to involve many of our neighborhood watch groups within this program. Some collected items for the Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center. Others sponsored a family and gave money to purchase grocery cards; one individual bought10 grocery cards. This was a tremendous help due to the fact that we wanted to give a $50 grocery card to each family. We also hand a lot of businesses sponsor families for the program. A special thanks to Colorado Power Line in Castle Rock for their first year of sponsorship. Two families were sponsored by employees at the Park Meadows Mall.

In addition, we had a Girl Scout troop from Acres Green collect toys for our program. This is also the first year we had members of the 4H Youth Council sponsor a family. Many more businesses and individuals donated money and sponsored families.

Sheriff Dave Weaver was very impressed by not only the hard work of those that organized the program but all those within the county that were willing to give a little bit extra this year in hopes that every child will have a gift to open on Christmas Day. "As in years past it is always an honor to help support this special program and to know that there are plenty of people who remember what is truly important at this time of year," stated Sheriff Weaver.