(Editor’s Note: This story was contributed by Gina Brown of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.)

JACKSON – An idea was born the day Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent brought in a doll donated to Kayla.

A child who hurts was so evident on her sweet face. The smile that should have been there had been replaced by a timid look. Her voice was mumbled words and spoken very low. The look in her big beautiful brown eyes was a look that should never be on any child’s face. Her eyes held horrors only she knew about. We wanted to do something to let little Kayla know that we loved her and that we cared.

Robin who works with the (Northampton) tax office and (Northampton Sheriff’s) Detective Bowen decided to make Kayla’s Christmas a rememberable one. After speaking with Sheriff Vincent, he along with other staff of NCSO donated gifts and time to help make Kayla’s Christmas a happy and bright one.

On December 16, Sheriff Vincent and staff invited Kayla down to the Sheriff’s Office for her surprise. Her gifts were set up in our kitchen, which was the only place large enough to contain them. When she walked in and saw all the gifts a look of awe crossed her sweet face and then she looked confused.

Robin advised her, “they are for you.” She turned and looked at DSS worker Alice Pope and asked, “for me?” “Yes Kayla,” she said, “they are all for you.”

One of the gifts Kayla had requested was an Easy Bake Oven. She was allowed to open this gift. A smile lit up her entire face when she open the gift and saw that she had gotten what she wanted most.

Kayla received so many gifts that she looked up at Det. Sgt. Bowen and asked again, “all this is for me?”

“Yes,” Det. Sgt. Bowen replied.

Kayla then asked, “can I take them home with me?” “Yes, you can take them home, they are your gifts,” was the reply.

A quote from a teacher’s assistant who donated a gift also stated that it was good of the Sheriff to take the time out of his busy day to put a smile on a child’s face. She stated it’s very seldom that law enforcement gets thanked for all they do to help, protect and serve Northampton County.

I just want to thank each and every officer for putting their lives on the line to make sure we are safe and secure in our homes and for what they did for this child. I say “thank you all” to Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent and his staff.

In our hearts we wish that we could make every child’s Christmas a happy one. I believe with a little time and effort we can. We can by donating one toy to DSS or NCSO during their Christmas gift drives next year. By doing this we can make sure all kids get something for Christmas.