The Poplarville Police Department donated Christmas presents to children in need on Christmas Day.

Officer Bert Martin led the effort, along with officer Bruce Eades and Captain Chris Netto. While delivering the presents, the three law enforcement officers spoke with children about traffic laws. Afterwards, the officers let the children pick a present out of the trunk of the patrol vehicle, Martin said.

One child was given a special present this year. The Poplarville community donated a bicycle to the Poplarville Police Department to be given to a child during the event. Officers found the most deserving child through a conversation with Mississippi Department of Corrections officer Casey McBennett.  Martin said McBennett mentioned a child who expected to receive nothing on Christmas Day due to a combination of events within his family. So, the officers decided to drive to a local apartment and donate the bike to that child, Martin said.

“He was ecstatic, as soon as he saw it he got on the bike and started to drive it around,” Martin said. “He also received three to four more presents but he was really happy with the bike. That was the highlight of his Christmas Day.”

Martin said he, Eades and Netto donated many more presents to people in the community during the event. Martin and his fellow officers would like to thank Poplarville Police Chief Butch Raby for making the event happen.

“The guys did a great job. Bert did a great thing for the children in need and we’re happy to see him get this event going,” Raby said. “We’re hopeful it’ll grow in years to come.”