By TERRI BRYCE REEVES, Times Correspondent
Thursday, December 9, 2010
OLDSMAR – The Oldsmar Wal-Mart looked like it was under siege Thursday morning as dozens of patrol cars filled the parking lot.
But there was no emergency. The deputies were armed with Christmas wish lists.
About 100 deputies and other members of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office volunteered to spend two hours and $23,000 buying toys and clothes for children and their families as part of the Sheriff's Christmas Sharing Project, which assists crime victims and families in need. More than 300 families with about 500 children are registered in the program.
Money for the project was raised at the 17th annual Sheriff's Office "Ride and Run with the Stars," event held at Ft. DeSoto Park Dec. 4. The cycling, running and walking event featured a visit from Santa and a kids' bike rodeo.
Some customers saw ...