Fort Worth (WBAP/KLIF) – A toy drive in honor of slain Richardson toddler Sherin Mathews benefited 3rd graders at Fort Worth’s Sagamore Hills Elementary.
Hundreds of toys were donated from around the country for ‘Sherin’s Toy Drive‘; additionally, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department provided stuffed animals to all 600 students at the school.
Sheriff’s deputies, along with members of the Fort Worth Police Department helped to hand out the gift-wrapped toys.
During the holiday party at the school Thursday Fort Worth Police ‘Officer J.R‘ got cheers from students and teachers alike, when he asked of they still believe in Santa Clause. He closed his remarks by telling the students to “always believe in themselves… this Christmas, next Christmas and for the rest of their lives.”
Organizer Shanna Poteet,(pictured right) founder and administrator of the Facebook group, ‘Love and Justice for Sherin Mathews, thought it important to include law enforcement in the event in Fort Worth’s Stop Six neighborhood, to send a message that law enforcement is doing positive things in the community, and in particular, “that community.”
Listen below for more reaction from those involved:
Stop Six has been ranked as one of the worst places to live in Fort Worth.
The toy drive was conceived initially as a way to honor Sherin Mathews, who was tragically killed by her father in 2017. Poteet, who is a good friend of one of the teachers, wanted to do something for her class. The project grew to involve law enforcement and treats for the entire school.
All of the children left school with a gift, thanks to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News)