Walker County fundraiser under way

Amy Yoder is grateful for a police fundraiser that saved her family’s Christmas last year.

When the mother of the three was planning for the holidays, her husband, Ryan, lost his job, and the couple couldn’t afford any presents.

It wasn’t until Amy Yoder heard about the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love, organized by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, that she found any hope that her children would get something special.

“It was a gift from God,” she said. “To think you’re not going to be able to get your kids nothing for Christmas just breaks your heart.”

Each year, the sheriff’s office holds its biggest fundraiser for the Stockings Full of Love program during the Labor Day weekend, said Walker Sheriff Steve Wilson. This year, the fundraiser begins with a bike ride Sunday at the Walker County Civic Center on U.S. Highway 27. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

The fundraiser normally raises about $12,000, which goes to fund about one-quarter of the Christmas program, Wilson said.

What started out as a program giving 40 children toys in 1989 has turned into a toy drive for more than 2,000 children, he said.

People come from all over the county each year to participate in the sock hop Sunday night and the featured event on Monday morning, the car and motorcycle show, he said.

Simon Duffey has entered his 1966 black Chevelle in the car show every year since 1989. While he has entered more than 100 shows all over the country, Duffey says he looks forward to the one in Walker County the most.

“I haven’t missed one yet,” he said.