Troopers spread Christmas cheer

By NATE HUBBARD/Staff

Move over flying reindeer: bears are the new animal of the season.
For the fourth consecutive year, area Virginia State Police troopers brightened the holidays for children in Bland, Wythe and Smyth counties through their Christmas Bears program.
During two days just before Christmas, the troopers took two groups of children to the Wal-Marts in Smyth and Wythe counties and gave them a memorable shopping spree.
“I am always deeply moved to meet the children we take shopping and this year was no exception,” said Sgt. Michael Conroy in an e-mail message.
Conroy said the troopers work with the local schools and other agencies to find worthy children for the program.
“We try to focus on kids that may fall through the cracks,” Conroy said in a later phone interview.
This year’s effort was the largest to date as Christmas Bears reached 75 children – double the 37 that the troopers were able to serve last year.
Conroy said the law enforcement officers, through money collected by their nonprofit throughout the year (100 percent of which goes to the local kids), were able to give each child approximately $100 to spend, as well as a ham for a Christmas dinner.
The children also were treated to lunch with the troopers after their shopping excursions.
“We try to make a really fulfilling day out of it for them,” Conroy said.
The day, though, usually turns out to be even more fulfilling for the troopers, Conroy said.
The troopers, often accompanied by their spouses, personally take the kids around Wal-Mart, helping them pick out items and getting to witness the youngsters’ glee.
“We got to see with our own eyes how the spirit of Christmas can change the lives of local kids and their families, evidenced by the expressions on their faces – the best reward,” Conroy said.
Wal-Mart employees also helped make the outing a memorable one, Conroy said, as the workers went out of their way to help the kids find deals to maximize their allotted money.
The sergeant added that he was even more amazed with the kids as when they left the Smyth County Wal-Mart, they asked if they could donate one of the gifts they had just purchased to the Santa’s Elves toy drive being held outside by Marion law enforcement personnel and rescue workers.
“They just really embodied the Christmas spirit,” he said.
Nate Hubbard can be reached at 228-6611 or .