‘Operation Joy’ helps 65 local families have a better Christmas meal

Criminal justice students recently hosted their Eighth Annual “Operation Joy” Holiday Christmas Food Basket program that hopes to help dozens of area families have a better Christmas meal.

The Corbin Area Technology Center Criminal Justice classes donated 65 holiday food baskets to area law enforcement officials as part of “Operation Joy.” That local and state law enforcement officers to distribute to needy families in the community in the Tri-County area, including: Laurel, Knox, and Whitley counties.

“The program teaches our Criminal Justice students that law enforcement plays many different roles in the community,” Criminal Justice Instructor Joshua Cox said. “Of course, the main purpose of the project is to give back to the community during the upcoming Christmas Holiday season. It teaches the students the core values of helping those who are less fortunate.”

The class put together food baskets for families less fortunate during this season of giving.

The Criminal Justice students met with numerous area law enforcement officers at the Corbin Area Technology Center on Dec. 14 and helped to load the baskets into the cruisers. Baskets were complete with a turkey, stuffing, vegetables, sacks of potatoes and milk.

The Criminal Justices classes consists of  students from Corbin, Williamsburg, and Whitley County high schools. The Corbin Area Technology Center would like to thank students, staff, and community members for their donations as well as generous donations from area businesses, including: Grace Health, Corbin Independent Schools and board members, Eubanks Electrical Supply, Firestone Industrial Products, Save-A-Lot, and both Corbin Kroger stores.

“Students start putting these boxes together after Halloween with donations from the students and staff and local businesses,” said Tackett Wilson, former criminal justice instructor at the Corbin Area Technology School, and currently Corbin’s Athletic Director, who also assisted.

The following agencies participated in distributing the holiday baskets to area deserving families, including: Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Corbin Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department, Kentucky State Police Post 10, Kentucky State Police Post 11, KSP/KVE Commercial Enforcement Division East, Constable Ronnie “Bubba” Bowling, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, DEA, Whitley County Jailer Elect Jason Wilson and Whitey County Sheriff Elect Bill Elliotte.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root noted that it was a privilege for his office to deliver the holiday food baskets to area families in Laurel County.

“Special thanks to East Bernstadt Family Resource Center for their assistance in identifying deserving families. We are blessed to have such caring persons in our area. At many of the residences, there were tears of joy as the baskets were delivered by the Laurel County Sheriff’s office. A special thanks to Joshua Cox instructor at Corbin Area Technology Center, (a former trooper) for coordinating this special event, and Tackett Wilson,” Root added.