The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office made a festive arrest Wednesday night at Urbana’s Wal-Mart, taking down a suspect dubbed the “Grinch” after he was caught stealing, causing mayhem, and stirring up shenanigans at the store.
But in a twist worthy of the holidays, the “Grinch” got a heartwarming sentence: helping 20 special kids shop for Christmas gifts for their families.
Each student was given a $250 budget, and deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were on hand to assist, spreading cheer and making the shopping experience unforgettable.
Thursday night, the Ladies of the Moose will help the kids wrap their gifts, and deputies will serve dinner.
Families will then be scheduled to pick up their gifts before Christmas, ensuring a joyful holiday for everyone involved.
What started as a mischievous incident turned into a day full of smiles, laughter, and holiday spirit, showing that even a “Grinch” can help make the season bright.
Sheriff Chad Burroughs said, “This is all about family looking after family!”
He explained that the money was donated for the cause and that it was just another part of the county coming together to help one another.
A special thank you to Andy Grimm for capturing photos of the evening.
