More than 110 children and their families received surprise holiday gifts on Dec. 21 thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors and a joint effort between the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and a Bynum resident.
The Sheriff’s Office, which hosts an annual “Sheriff Sleigh” gift delivery program, teamed with Lesley Dean Matthews, who leads a yearly “Stuff-A-Stocking” toy drive. Their partnership has already brought joy and love to hundreds of children and families across Chatham County.
“I’m not a non-profit,” says Matthews, who connected with the Sheriff’s Office at a community blood drive in November 2020. “I’m just a neighbor and a networker who believes in helping local children and families in need. I wish I had someone looking out for me when I was growing up — that’s why I do it. I want to be that person for someone else who needs it.”
Hundreds of donors contributed toys, clothing, gift cards, and basic care supplies for the event. Others pitched in to help transport supplies or spread the word. All items are transported to the Sheriff’s Office for sorting and distribution ahead of Christmas. Special effort goes into providing recipients with gifts they wanted as well as items they desperately needed, like shoes, coats, backpacks or hygiene items.
In their first year of partnership, Lesley and the Sheriff’s Office more than doubled the previous number of gift recipients; in year two, they shattered all previous donation records once again.
“I couldn’t do what I do without the Bynum community, Galloway Ridge residents, and so many anonymous donors,” says Matthews of her Stuff-A-Stocking Program. “I call them my ‘Secret Elves’ because they are the ones working behind the scenes to make dreams come true.”
Matthews says she began her “Stuff-A-Stocking” program when her own daughter was 4 years old, and has watched it grow over the last 13 years. During that time, she has partnered with other agencies, like the Chatham County Department of Social Services, to obtain names of families who may be in need around the holidays. Now, the program has found a new home with the Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s a magical experience to walk into work and see the walls lined with gifts,” said Lieutenant Sara Pack of the Sheriff’s Office. “Everyone is smiling and laughing, rushing around with clipboards or presents and humming Christmas songs. It’s like the Sheriff’s Office is turned into Santa’s workshop for one day each year!”
“Many of the recipients were victims of crime, trauma, or hardship over the last couple of years,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “Although these presents may not restore what they have lost, it sends a message to these children and their families that they are loved and seen and have the support of this community. It’s an honor to share in the excitement and experience all of the emotions that come with making someone’s holiday wishes come true.”
“I felt like an angel had walked into my office,” says Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Coordinator Lora Rinaldi, describing the first time she met Matthews. Rinaldi has spearheaded the project alongside Matthews for the last two years, reaching out to other agencies to gather names for children and families in need of a little extra cheer.
“When Lesley [Matthews] first came to us in 2020, she wanted to know more about the work we do at the Sheriff’s Office and how she could help. By the time we finished talking, we had a plan — the whole thing just fell into place,” Rinaldi explains. “Chatham County has such an amazing ‘pay it forward’ mentality. The community is so giving and helpful, and the families who received gifts were so incredibly appreciative. It means so much to so many.”
For families who were unable to travel to collect their gifts, the Sheriff’s Sleigh program can coordinate transport or delivery of toys to gift recipients. Roberson says he hoped to continue cultivating the program in years to come with the help of more residents.
“We can only achieve success as a community by pulling together and taking care of one another,” he said. “In times like these, we don’t want to see any family go without. If they can’t come to us, we will go to them. What’s important is the reminder that there is still hope and goodness in the world — and here in Chatham most of all.”