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Members of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Posse were busy unloading bicycles, stuffed animals and more on Monday at Safe Harbor.

The Posse collected more than $5,000 and a truckload of toys and bikes to help area children in need.

“We have these mommies and daddies and grandparents that come in and have had a rough time this year,” Safe Harbor (Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.) Executive Director Kathy Smyth said. “Some times they are disabled or are just having a rough time. We can provide help with some Christmas for them. Sometimes people come in that just have a need.”

Smyth said she was overwhelmed by the work the Butler County Sheriff’s Posse did this year and is thankful for them as she has been in years past.

“The Lord provides through these guys,” she said. “That’s the heart they have for giving. These are exceptional gifts. For many of these children, the extra measure of kindness goes a long way in the healing process. It says a lot for our community.”

Last year, the Posse raised $4,000, and this year it raised $5,000 to help the community.

“We would like to thank the citizens of Butler County and the surrounding counties that gave on Nov. 14 and Nov. 30,” Posse Director Charles Thomas said. “We also would like to take the time to thank the businesses that also gave to make this happen. We’re sorry for any inconvenience that we may have caused, but it was worth it for the kids.”

Thomas said it was the third year that the Butler County Sheriff’s Posse had worked with Safe Harbor.

“We hope this will continue for years to come,” he said.

Thomas said many businesses including Papa John’s Pizza, Clayton Homes, Camellia Collision Center, Joe Hudson’s Collision, Top to Bottom Paint & Body, Norman Blackman Motors, ASE Credit Union, Guardian Credit Union, Advanced Auto, Hainje’s Furniture, F&S Tires, Walmart, Custom Clocks and more helped with the effort.

“We also would like to thank the Dollar General stores and Tractor Supply for letting us place collection boxes in their businesses this time of year,” Thomas said.

The donations of money and toys equaled around $12,000 this year, according to Thomas.

“The butler County Sheriff’s Posse hopes that all of the children and families that Safe Harbor helps have a merry Christmas,” he concluded.