Houston County sheriff's deputies deliver Thanksgiving meals to the needy
PERRY -- Houston County sheriff's Deputy Kevin Taylor joined a half-dozen other transport officers Wednesday to deliver Thanksgiving meals to the needy.
The annual effort, dubbed Operation Arresting Hunger, is the culmination of fundraising by the deputies assigned to the Houston County jail and other divisions of the sheriff's office.
More than $3,000 was raised this year through an annual car wash, T-shirt sales and paying $1 or $2 to wear jeans instead of uniforms to work on Fridays.
The deputies delivered 46 precooked meals on their own time and in their own vehicles. They wore their uniforms to identify themselves.
"I was brought up to help others, and my family always looked out for the needy people," Taylor said as he drove to the first delivery destination in Perry. He had Deputy Brandon Harper with him.
"So around four years ago, I just got everybody in the unit together and ... gave them an idea, and we all jumped on it. We wanted to help the people in Houston County during the holidays when we know people are struggling," Taylor said. "We didn't want anybody to go hungry."
The name for the effort came during a brainstorming session.
"We just thought about our job and hunger, and that's how it came up to be Operation Arresting Hunger."
The deputies divided into three teams to make the deliveries across the county. Those who received the meals were drawn from the school system, social services, food banks and churches.
"The people that receive the meals are so thankful," Taylor said. "That just brings joy to our heart, and that's why we do it. ... I mean, the response from kids giving you a hug to the elderly that don't have anybody left in this world."
Gerald Findley, 51, of Perry, was among those who received a Thanksgiving meal.
"I'm just one of the people that need it, and I'm really thankful," she said. "I appreciate it."
Earnestine Walker, 69, couldn't thank Taylor and Harper enough and hugged them both.
"This means so very, very much. ... I appreciate that somebody think of me at Thanksgiving," said Walker, of Perry.
Walker, who worked at restaurants and in hotels before she retired, has had a few health problems. She has a helper who comes in four times a week and for whom deputies also left a Thanksgiving meal.
"Every little bit helps, and then this will help me out a whole lot," Walker said.
She clapped her hands excitedly.
"I'm blessed, I'm blessed, I'm blessed, and I thank God for everything, and I thank God for you all. You all have a happy Thanksgiving also."
Driving away, Taylor noted that people like Walker are why they do they what they do.
"We enjoy doing it just to help people out," Harper added. "That's the main reason we're doing this. It's not to get any credit for us. It's all about helping the needy."
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559, or find her on Twitter@becpurser.
This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Houston County sheriff's deputies deliver Thanksgiving meals to the needy ."