With hard economic times hitting many local families this year, Operation Santa Clause, operated by Sheriff Lee Foster and his staff, is asking for help in making Christmas a bit merrier.

The special operation is an outreach to needy and underprivileged children during the holiday season.

“We want these children to know and understand that law enforcement officers and the people of the community do care about them and that they are not lost in the shuffle or forgotten,“ said Foster. “Many times children are shown or told about law enforcement in a negative light, and it is our goal to show that the men and women of law enforcement and throughout the community are really loving, caring people who want to make a positive difference in their community.“

Foster said requests for assistance have already begun to pour into the sheriff's office, and that there “is a great fear that due to the current difficult economic conditions that the number of requests will outweigh the ability to meet needs.

“Layoffs and cutbacks have placed many people in need of assistance and many industries are simply unable to give as they have in years gone by, combining for the possibility that some children will not receive assistance. We believe that the people of our communities will come together to meet the needs of others during the holiday season, and so we are asking for everyone who can to help us help others.“

Foster said deputies will forgo a formal Christmas party this year and hold a covered-dish drop with officers being asked to donate the money they would have spent for the party and the meal to the toy drive.

A number of community organizations are assisting with the toy drive this year in different ways.

The Community Choir holds its Christmas Cantata performances next week and there will be officers on hand before and after the shows to accept donations or toys. The cantata will be on Dec. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at Newberry Elementary School.

On Dec. 13, there will be a motorcycle toy run arriving at the Newberry Opera House at around 2:30 p.m. The run will provide toys to the Newberry Boys Farm and the Sheriff's Office Operation Santa Clause.

In addition, a number of business and churches have placed collection boxes for toys to be donated. The toy boxes can be found throughout the community, or you can drop off toys or a financial donation at the Sheriff's Office, 520 Wilson Road, or call 321-2211 and speak with Ron Abrams or Sherri Scott to arrange a pickup of your donated toys or money.