THOMASVILLE- Cars could be seen flowing through the Justice Center Parking lot on Thursday afternoon, as 1,400 plates were picked up during the annual Law Enforcement Goodwill Project. 

According to Thomasville Police Department Captain Toby Knifer, the Goodwill Project has been a staple for law enforcement officers for over 20 years and serves as a way to raise funds for less fortunate families during Christmas. 

“It started very small as something investigators from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and Thomasville Police Department came together to do,” Knifer said. “It slowly just grew year after year.” 

Every individual coming through the drive-thru received a half chicken plate, corn on the cob, beans, a slice of bread, and dessert. 

While the officers and investigators work all day cooking, community members rally around the thoughtful project and donate some of the needed ingredients to help ensure 100% of the proceeds can go directly toward families in need at Christmas. 

“‘We have families that will come in and fill out an application and we will go shopping for them,” he explained. 

This project differs from the annual Wander with a First Responder program and is a combined effort of the TPD Criminal Investigation Department, GBI, and the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. 

“The families will come in and give us their child’s clothing size, shoe size, and maybe their favorite toy and we will go out go shopping, and they can come pick it up,” Knifer said. “We coordinate with the school resource officers and counselors at the schools too so we can identify through them who needs help.” 

Additionally, money raised from the Goodwill Project will be used to provide gifts for children in CASA and several other non-profit agencies for children’s charities. 

This collaborative effort between the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and Thomasville Police Department has become an essential part of making sure children in need are supported during the most joyous time of year. 

Knifer thanked everyone for their support and donations toward the project, aimed at making Christmas wishes come true.