Twenty-five homeless children will receive Christmas presents thanks to the generosity of Toot’s customers and restaurant during the Shop with a Sheriff fund-raising event Tuesday at the South Church Street restaurant.
Toot’s owner Wade Hays kicked off the Shop with the Sheriff event by giving a contribution to Rutherford County Sheriff Robert F. Arnold.
Arnold, Administrative Chief Deputy Joe Russell, school resource officers and Community Services Unit deputies talked to customers about the drive to raise funds for the children. Toot’s customers and private donors contributed enough money to pay for the shopping trip.
The sheriff, SROs, CSU and deputies will accompany the children for breakfast and Christmas shopping at Kmart Dec. 3 where the children can select their own toys.
During the event, Toot’s motto of “good food and fun” dominated the evening (Photo: Wade Hayes and Sheriff Arnold).
Customer Kelsie Barnes celebrated her 17th birthday with friends. Arnold, Commander Guy Goff and SRO Edwin Fitzgerald and the Toot’s staff serenaded the embarrassed Barnes with a “Happy Birthday” song.
Some more fortunate children warmed the deputies’ hearts when they gave back.
Aiden McGee, 5, son of Sean McGee, smiled as he handed a donation to CSU Sgt. Jimmy Cassidy.
Ryan Barnes, 13, donated a leather jacket to the sheriff’s office for a needy child. His mother, Joan Bryson, said Ryan’s parents taught him to give presents if he wants to receive presents.
Arnold thanked Hays and Toot’s employees for joining with the sheriff’s office to help children who are less fortunate.
“This is near and dear to me to help less fortunate children of our county know the joy of Christmas,” Arnold said.
Hays said Toot’s was pleased to partner with the sheriff’s office.
“The fact they are providing other services than law enforcement is just amazing to me,” Hays said. “No doubt with Sheriff Arnold’s leadership that I’ve seen it’s only continuing to get better. They truly care about the well-being of the children of the county.
“Toot’s is just honored to partner with the department in events such as these,” Hays said. “It just makes sense as a company to partner in such a wonderful event. This community has been so good to us. We love giving back.”
