Lafayette County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments Give to Those in Need During the Holidays November 23, 2022

Two Lafayette County departments that serve the community all year still find time to give back even more during the holidays. The Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department each rally to help those in need.

No-Shave November

Sheriff Joey East (center) and his officers let their beards grow each November to raise funds for the Buddy East Christmas Gift, donated toward advocacy and counseling of domestic violence victims.

The Sheriff’s Department is participating in “No-Shave November” to raise money for Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, an advocacy and counseling center for domestic violence. “It’s our way of hugging them, by giving them that gift,” Sheriff Joey East said.

Regulations usually prohibit officers from having facial hair, but for this cause, each officer who would like to participate pays $20 in exchange for permission to grow a beard. And the beard growing does not stop at the end of November for the Sheriff’s Department.

“We always extend through December, so they pay $20 more,” East said, “We call it the Buddy East Christmas Gift—and we will give it to needy families.”

Toys for Tots

The Lafayette County Fire Department continues its yearly toy drive efforts—this time as part of a friendly competition with the Sheriff’s Department, through Toys for Tots.

For years, the Fire Department’s way of giving back during the holidays was Sparky’s Holiday Hope. They would collect toys to give to families with children in need during the Christmas Season.

This year, the Fire Department is joining their Sparky’s Holiday Hope with Toys for Tots, in which they will have a friendly competition with the Sheriff’s department and Oxford Police Department to see who collects the most toys.

Lafayette County Public Information Officer and fireman Beau Moore noted that though the agencies are competing, the winners will be the kids who benefit and have a happy holiday season.

The public may donate toys by dropping off an item at any of the three departments. Money donations also are accepted; checks should be made out to “Toys for Tots.”