South Carolina Highway Patrol partners with Walmart to spread holiday cheer to SC children

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Highway Patrol partnered with the SC Troopers Association and Walmart to bring cheer to children for the holiday season.

More than 130 children impacted by a highway tragedy joined SC Highway Patrol Community Relations Officers and troopers on Thursday, Dec. 7, at seven different Walmart locations across South Carolina to participate in the SC Highway Patrol 2023 Shop with a Cop event.

Each child was gifted a $150 Walmart gift card provided by anonymous donors to the SC Troopers Association to spend how they wished.

“These children have endured so much tragedy at such a young age. It can be hard to wrap your head around it,” said Colonel Christopher N. Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol.

Officials say the Highway Patrol’s Victim Services Unit identified children in need who have been impacted by a traffic collision that resulted in a fatality or life-altering injury in 2023.

The partnership was set up by the Highway Patrol’s Victim Services Unit with seven Walmart stores across the state.

“We see the heartache that these families have to wrestle with every day. At times, you feel helpless,” said Crystal Salley, SC Highway Patrol’s Victim Services Unit manager.

 The South Carolina Highway Patrol adopted seven families last year as part of their Christmas Initiative, however, partnerships and generosity from the community allowed for the program to be significantly expanded in 2023.

For individuals interested in donating to future SCHP community events you can do so by visiting the SC Troopers Association website www.sctroopers.org.

“If we can provide a little comfort to these kids in some capacity and put a smile on their faces, even for just one evening, then we’ve done our job today,” said Colonel Williamson.