CORBIN, KY (December 17, 2019) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Criminal Justice Students hosted their 5th Annual Operation Joy Holiday Christmas Basket Project.
Corbin Area Technology Center Criminal Justice classes donated turkey baskets to area law enforcement officials as part of their 5th annual “Operation Joy”.
The class expanded the operation from last year, increasing the number of holiday turkey baskets donated to 65 which were donated to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to distribute to needy families in the community in the Tri-County area (Laurel, Knox, and Whitley).
“The program teaches our Criminal Justice students that law enforcement plays many different roles in the community,” Criminal Justice Teacher Tackett Wilson said. “Of course, the main purpose of the project is to give back to the community during the upcoming Christmas Holiday season. It teaches the students the core values of helping those who are less fortunate.”
The Criminal Justice students met with numerous area law enforcement officers at the Corbin Area Technology Center on Tuesday morning December 17th, 2019 and helped to load the baskets into the cruisers. The baskets were complete with a turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and drinks.
The Criminal Justices classes consists of students from Corbin, Williamsburg, and Whitley County High Schools.
The Corbin Area Technology Center would like to thank students, staff, and community members for their donations as well as generous donations from area businesses including:
- Grace Health
- Mi-Casa
- Pepsi
- Sav-a-Lot
- Walmart
- VFW Club
*Students start putting these boxes together after Halloween with donations from the students, staff and local businesses.
25 law enforcement officers participated in the event.
The following agencies participated in distributing the turkey baskets to area deserving families: .
- Laurel County Sheriff's Office
- Knox County Sheriff's office
- Whitley County Sheriff's Office
- Corbin City Police
- Williamsburg City Police
- Kentucky State Police
- KSP/KVE Commercial Enforcement Division
- DEA
- Constable Ronnie “Bubba” Bowling
- Commonwealth Attorney Ronnie Bowling Jr. (serving Whitley and McCreary County)
Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated that it was a privilege for his office to deliver the turkey holiday baskets to area families in Laurel County. We are blessed to have such caring persons in our area. At many of the residences, there were tears of joy as the baskets were delivered by the Laurel County Sheriff's office. A special thanks to Tackett Wilson, instructor at Corbin Area Technology Center, (a retired trooper) for coordinating this special event.
Pictured are all the students, staff and area law enforcement officers that participated.
Photos courtesy of The News Journal.
Participating for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office was Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
