WORTH COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A Worth County holiday tradition is continuing to grow thanks to local volunteers who stepped in to save it.

The county’s Shop With Public Safety program pairs local law enforcement officers with children and teens for a Christmas shopping trip to Walmart. When the program’s previous organizer stepped away, its future was uncertain — until community members took action.

Betty Dorsey, president of the Worth County Ladies Auxiliary, said she stepped in because she couldn’t bear to see the program disappear.

“Our 911 director, and her name was Marcy, but when she left, we didn’t want the program to die down,” Dorsey said. “To keep it alive, I worked here at Ed’s with my sister Gail, and we decided to make this a Ladies Auxiliary and Ed’s Truck Stop project. It’s grown each year, and it’s just all about helping our children.”

Each participating child receives a set budget to shop for Christmas gifts alongside a public safety officer. Dorsey said being able to help families during the holidays is personal.

“Oh it humbles you — I mean, it’s just the most humbling experience,” she said. “We’ve been in that boat with our parents before they passed away, and they always said, ‘Don’t forget that you came from situations like that.’ We meet families that normally wouldn’t ask for help but that have fallen on hard times.”

This year, the program is placing a special focus on teenagers, who Dorsey said often get overlooked during toy-drive season. That’s where community partners like Ed’s Truck Stop are stepping up.

Gail Lee, the owner of Ed’s, said helping families during the holidays is what motivates her.

“It feels great just knowing that we’ve helped a kid have a good Christmas, and we’ve helped a parent that couldn’t help their child,” Lee said. “Times are tough right now, and if it can help them with their children, we’re happy to do it.”

If you would like to offer your support you can donate to their Go Fund me here.

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