Jackson County Sheriff’s Department gives away 140 backpacks

RIPLEY, WV (WOWK) — Nothing says back to school like a new backpack, and on Tuesday 140 kids in Jackson county received one from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger says these types of events are important for the children not only for them to get the materials they need, but to build a rapport at a young age with officers so they know they have a friend in law enforcement.

“This one here? Alright give me a fist pump,” said the Sheriff to the first of more than 100 children to receive one.

Some of his deputies also helped distribute 140 backpacks to local children, helping the little ones pick one out by asking what their favorite colors were, and which one they liked best before helping them put it on.