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Santa’s busy schedule during the time leading up to Christmas calls for the help of selfless volunteers.

That resulted in a joint effort that began when Ronald Moye, an employee with Brewton Aviation, made plans for a fund raiser to help with Christmas toy deliveries in the area. Heather McCall, Brewton Aviation owner, went along with the idea and the pair began to work on a plan.

McCall contacted Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson to ask for some help in getting the word out about the fund raiser.

Jackson then contacted Escambia County Schools Superintendent Michele McClung to seek the names of students in the county who might benefit from the project.

McClung then contacted counselors at each of the county’s K through 8 schools and asked them to submit names of deserving children.

After a few weeks of hard work and more than $6,000 in donations later, the Brewton Municipal Airport facility was loaded with more than three dozen bicycles, boxes of toys, and stockings filled with goodies.

Jackson said the venture was one he was glad his office participated in to make something wonderful happen for children in the county.

“A few weeks ago, our friends at Aviation Specialists at the Brewton and Atmore Airports partnered with the Escambia County School System and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to help provide Christmas presents to some of our students that attend the schools throughout the county,” Jackson said. “We were able to provide gifts for 44 students. “

Jackson put a handful of inmates of the Escambia County Detention Center to work taking care of assembling bikes and other toys obtained in the fund raising event. McCall took the time to do most of the shopping for toys and games included in the present packages.

“I would like to thank everyone in the community that donated to our toy drive,” Jackson said.  “Without your blessings and love, it would not have been possible. It takes a village, but it also takes a kind heart.  And a special thanks to Heather and Freddy McCall for all their help and support and ‘NASCAR Ron’ for all the ground work!”