DeWitt County Deputy Santa
This is the 27th year DeWitt County Deputy Santa has served the families of DeWitt County during Christmas, an initiative that started in the 1990s with Sheriff Cliff Foulds to support underprivileged children.
“The community has always responded. They have responded in a big way,” Sheriff Carl Bowen said.
The funds received directly support this effort. One goal is to keep it low-key.
“Deputies deliver presents while volunteers wrap them. We even have some inmates who want to participate, working under appropriate restrictions,” Bowen said.
Executive Assistant Kim Jalufka, the Chief Elf, has been involved for 13 years. She eval- uates the requests to avoid duplicates. Once the list is finalized, they shop at Walmart for any additional items.
“We bag each individual family. They (gifts) get wrapped. We set them by town, and our deputies take off and start delivering,” Jalufka said with a big grin.
In addition to donations from businesses and schools, a donation box is also available for cash contributions. “It’s a whole community involvement. It’s wonderful,” Jalufka said.
