JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's that time of year again: Jacksonville Sheriff's officers hit the streets Wednesday to surprise unsuspecting people with gift cards for the holidays.
For the second straight year, officers disguised as "police elves" played Secret Santa and spread some holiday cheer by handing out $100 gift cards to complete strangers.
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Officers Melissa Bujeda and Christian Hancock, the agency's public information officers, were just some of the elves making the rounds. They floored people, like Katia, with unexpected gifts.
#JSO elves are out! #904SecretSanta #JSO #ilovejax pic.twitter.com/kHcqo0Odh8
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017
Katia was just blessed by #JSO elves! $100 gift card given! We love being able to give. #904SecretSanta #JAX pic.twitter.com/pw7h2HyIIU
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017
$100 gift card given! All smiles! #904SecretSanta #JSO #ilovejax 🎅🏼🎄 pic.twitter.com/b2AvTjgZh3
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017
Someone just got blessed at 12th and Phoenix. $100 gift card given! #904SecretSanta #JSO #ilovejax 🎅🏼🎄 https://t.co/XvI5kQlZRL
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017
Jacksonville police weren't the only ones embracing the season of giving. St. Johns County deputies were also out in force for the holidays, particularly to those struggling to make ends meet.
Cpl. Greg Suchy ran into Lacy Estaphan at Chick-fil-A. Estaphan, a full-time nursing student, works to support her two younger sisters after their father died -- and gave her a $100 gift card.
#904SecretSanta - This is CPL Greg Suchy. He met Lacy Estaphan who takes care of her two younger sisters after her Dad passed away last month. She works at Chick-fil-A and is a full time Nursing Student. This $100 gift card will help pay for Christmas. pic.twitter.com/AkwSb3PyJW
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - This is Sgt Sid Mickler. He met an exhausted Melissa, who had been working extra shifts everyday in order to be able to afford Christmas. Sgt. Mickler said it was an “amazing blessing to give her a gift card.” pic.twitter.com/DV6MYaUqO6
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - Deputy Kermit Kidder met Angel today. She is a new St Johns County resident and is struggling to get on her feet while starting a new life here. A $100 gift card will help with that. pic.twitter.com/2ojQAxXqiO
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - Deputy Sheldon York and Deputy Kermit Kidder gave a $100 gift card to Mrs. Pamelo, a strong mother of four who is helping her family get through the loss of a loved one right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mrs. Pamelo. pic.twitter.com/CZzehgiCDq
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - Deputy Sheldon York and Deputy Kermit Kidder gave a $100 gift card to Mrs. Pamelo, a strong mother of four who is helping her family get through the loss of a loved one right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mrs. Pamelo. pic.twitter.com/CZzehgiCDq
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - This is Deputy Csaba Toth. He handed his card to a single mother of three who had no heat in her car. One of the kids is fighting kidney issues. pic.twitter.com/rWfVDMKKgz
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017
#904SecretSanta - This is Deputy Melissa Swindull. She gave a $100 gift card to James in the Hastings area. He has three young kids and while he works really hard, things are tight. pic.twitter.com/6dOFYk2qkK
— SJSO (@SJSOPIO) December 13, 2017