NEWS FROM THE SHERIFF
I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas with family and friends. I want to share the experience we had here at the Sheriff’s Office this year.
In past years, we participated in “Shop With a Cop,” where our deputies treated children to a shopping spree to purchase any item they wished. While it was a tremendous success, this year, we decided to go a different direction. We implemented an “Adopt A Family” initiative to involve all employees and let everyone experience the joy of giving.
I reached out to our local shelters to find a family we could help during Christmas. Tina Adams, with Hope House, selected a single mother (referred to here as CC for privacy) who had been at Hope House for seven months and was transitioning to her own place.
CC’s story is one of resilience. She had fled a hostile situation with her ex-husband on the north side of Houston, Texas, to protect her three children. She and her six-year-old son left with only the clothes on their backs, while her 16-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter stayed with relatives until CC could secure a safe place. For about a month, CC and her youngest son lived in her truck before finding Hope House, where they were welcomed with love and support.
Over the past seven months, CC has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life. Without any family support in this area, she leaned on the women and staff at Hope House. She attended weekly support meetings, church services, and other programs while caring for her six-year-old and maintaining contact with her older children through FaceTime.
CC secured a steady job over three months ago and applied for housing. She was eventually able to secure a small two-bedroom house in McAlester with assistance from Hope House and Shared Blessings. CC was thrilled at the thought of reuniting her children in their new home.
About ten days before Christmas, I met CC as she cleaned her new residence. At that moment, she received news that a four-bedroom public housing unit had become available. I accompanied CC to see the new residence, which was spacious enough for her and her children to begin their new life together. It was nothing short of a blessing.
The Sheriff’s Office rallied to gather household items to furnish the home. With donations from employees and local businesses, we provided gifts for her children as well. CC planned to return to Texas two days before Christmas to bring her two older children to their new home on Christmas evening.
While she traveled to Texas, we finished furnishing her home so that her family would return to a warm, welcoming, fully equipped space. However, on Christmas Eve, CC faced a challenge when her vehicle broke down about 80 miles from her destination.
CC was able to ease the vehicle to where her children were located. CC was concerned about how she was going to return back to McAlester but also concerned about the safety of her kids. This is close proximity to where she had to leave due to the ex-husband actions and she feared he may be alerted that she was in the area.
I left McAlester at 5:30 am on Christmas day and drove six hours to make sure that CC and her children returned safely. CC had planned so much for the kids to be reunited together and the Sheriff Office would make sure that her dream became a reality. It will be a Christmas to remember not only for me and my staff at the Pittsburg County Sheriff Office, but the single mother and her three children will never forget it.
We returned back home around 5:00pm on Christmas Day. CC had not seen the finishing touch on the house furnishings and the children were not aware of what they were about to be gifted. The true meaning of Christmas was in full view at this very moment as this family began to celebrate and the tears of joy were flowing! The children were so excited to finally have their own bedroom!
A Christmas tree was awaiting them with gifts for Mom and the kids! It will be Christmas to remember not only for me and my staff at the Pittsburg County Sheriff Office, but the single mother and her three children will never forget it. I do not take credit for this success story because it is only made possible by many loving and caring employees at the Sheriff Office. They have donated their time and money to make this a success along with some others who I want to recognize. Tina Adams (Hope House), Undersheriff Loyd London and wife Kelly, Julie Padgett, Jeff Daniels, Kristal Scoggins, Josh Kious, Carrie Duff, Reality Assembly of God, Randy Saunier (1st Realty), Marty Briggs (EZ Pay Auto), Ashley Miller (Ashley Bail Bonds), Pastor Jerry Holloway, Beth Cotton, Mike’s Club, Patriot Auto Group, and all the other individuals that made this a possibility. Just know that we have made a difference in these people lives forever!
Interim Sheriff Frankie McClendon
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