CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Law Enforcement Association had to get creative with this year’s Shop With A Sheriff event, but were still able to help more than 20 kids around the holidays.

According to Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Detective Chad O’Hara, as always the program was made possible thanks to the community along with the Chenango County Law Enforcement Association and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Employees Association. The two unions represent the employees from the local road patrol, correction and civil departments at the sheriff’s office.

O’Hara said this year was especially difficult due to COVID-19, but that they were able to make it happen by having much smaller groups purchasing gifts at the same time.

“We just had to brainstorm to figure out the best way to make it safe for everyone involved,” he said. “We created small groups for more than 20 kids and a couple of families to make it happen.”

“There were also some emergency families and we delivered gifts to several places as well.”

O’Hara said the final family was helped in late December, and each recipient received $125 to spend on themselves and $75 on their family. He said it wasn’t uncommon for children to spend some of the money designated for them on their families as well.