COVINGTON, Ga. — The Newton County Sheriff's Office were able to help an estimated 1,412 children have a merrier Christmas through the sheriff's annual Guardian Angels Program. 

Every year, NCSO deputies take time out of their own schedules to Christmas shop for children and families in need to provide them with clothing, toys, gifts, food and other necessities. The program — funded by Deputies Who Care, Toy Ride and Give-Away and citizen donations — allows the deputies "to be caring citizens as well as public servants," according to the NCSO Jan. 2 press release.

This year, the items were provided to 120 children located in the Rockdale County Youth Detention Center, 991 individuals residing in Newton County and 300 children, with parents, incarcerated in the Newton County Sheriff's Office Dentition Center.

"Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office wish to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all supporters and sponsors of the Sheriff’s Guardian Angel Program for their contributions during the 21st Annual Toy Ride," the press release stated.

The NCSO thanked a number of partners that helped make the program a success: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Chi Tau Omega Chapter, State Representative Pamela Dickerson, Pen Pointe Foundation, Newton County Branch of the NAACP and Serenity House.