Elephant’s Fork Elementary School received a special visit from the Sheriff’s Department last Friday as the department donated new toys for the school’s playground.

With a collaboration between local churches, the Sheriff’s Department and Walmart, they were able to donate $800 worth of toys to Elephant’s Fork. Some of the toys included hula hoops, tricycles, bowling sets, playground balls and more.

“I saw a need for the Early Start program to have new toys. It was a collaboration between the churches, Walmart and us,” said Sheriff E.C. Harris.

Suffolk’s Sheriff’s Department is a Partner-In-Education with Elephant’s Fork, and they regularly look for opportunities to help the students.

“The toys and the donation are great, because we have a need,” said Assistant Principal Garrick Rhoads. “We know they are sincere in what they do, and they truly care about the kids at this school.”

The students were happy to receive the toys, and most were begging to stay outside and play.

“These kids have a lot of energy, and they need to get their energy out to focus,” Harris said. “This helps the teachers have better instruction. They have a hard time keeping their attention for class.”

The Sheriff’s Department does more than just donate items to the school; they are constantly looking to build relationships with children and the staff.

“They are the best partners we have,” said Rhoads. “We are so excited to have them come.”

Along with donating the toys, they deputies also took the time to walk around the school and visit classrooms.

“These connections they are making are amazing,” Rhoads said. “They donate multiple times a year, and that is wonderful.”

Rhoads is happy to have the Sheriff’s Department come into Elephant’s Fork, because it gives the students a chance to see law enforcement in a positive light and see them as role models for themselves.