Deputies and 911 operators who pooled their personal money together and drove to a 24-hour store in Athens early Christmas morning to replace stolen presents for a little girl are receiving written commendations.

Sheriff Scott Berry said he recommended the formal recognitions for service that "went above and beyond."

"They improvised and adapted and absolutely did a great job of trying to give a little girl a Christmas," he said Monday.

The recognition is being given to Deputy Steve Shaffer, Sgt. Robert Elder, Senior C/O Officer Jennifer Elder, Senior C/O Officer Beth Hale and Officer Beth Epps.

"They have pride in the agency, they have pride in Oconee County and it's demonstrated daily in little things like this," Berry remarked. "A lot of the little things like this never make the news."

Around 1 a.m. on Dec. 25, a call came in concerning an entered auto on Bradford Place.  A woman reported her 3-year-old daughter's presents had been taken from an unlocked car parked in a driveway of a friend's home that the family was visiting.

Berry said the staff chipped in about $90 and deputies traveled to Walgreens in Athens -- one of the only stores in the area that was open at that hour on the holiday -- and bought presents and wrapping paper.

The girl was able to open the gifts later that morning.

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