Santa Claus is coming tomorrow for a local three-year-old. Thanks to Russell County Sheriff-Elect Heath Taylor, Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell, Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr, Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley, Phenix City Police Chief Ray Smith, Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren, Metro Columbus Narcotics Task Force Agent-in-Charge Lt. Charlie Kennedy and Columbus City Counselor-Elect Judy Thomas, three-year-old John Henry Clark is going to check something off his bucket list.
Melissa Clark, John Henry’s mom, sent me an email this morning in response to my last blog post. She said John Henry’s favorite part of Saturday’s Reindeer Run was the helicopter that brought Santa Claus to the party. She said he kept saying, “Me, Me, Me!” He wanted to fly. John Henry is a Down Syndrome child. His mom says he works hard for the things he accomplishes. I made a couple of phone calls and some really great people have said “yes” to a little boy’s Christmas wish.
Pray for no rain tomorrow. If the rain holds off, John Henry Clark will get his wish and take a ride on the Metro Columbus Narcotics Task Force whirlybird. No public funds will be spent for this ride. The Task Force is funded by drug seizure money and drug proceeds confiscated in Harris, Muscogee and Russell Counties. Sheriff Mike Jolley, Sheriff John Darr, Sheriff Tommy Boswell, Chief Ray Smith and Chief Ricky Boren oversee the Metro Narcotics Task Force.
Tomorrow morning, sometime around 10:30 a.m., John Henry and one of his parents will lift off from the Columbus Metropolitan Airport. Keep reading this blog for the rest of this wonderful Christmas story.
melanie says
How awesome!
Angela White Marine says
How AWESOME…. Thanks for being a good Santa to this little guy. How exciting for him and his parents. And, we get to share in his joy. Have a good flight John Henry…
Cyndy says
Thank you Mike and John Henry for reminding me what the Christmas spirit is all about.
Faye Cook says
Tears, here!
Eliza Mason says
SO cool! Mike, you are too great.
Nancy T. Morris says
Christmas smiles Mike!! What a sweet spirit of giving…Have fun John Henry!!
Becky Mays Keith says
This is so great.
Spencer Champion says
There won’t be a dry eye in the whole crowd. Good job Mike.
Janet Ormond says
That’s awesome, Mike! I pray it is a great day for John Henry.
Deborah Evans Garner says
Praying for it not to rain tomorrow. Go John Henry, Thanks Mike this is awesome.
Margaret Angell says
What a wonderful spirit of giving, Mike! Thanks for making John Henry’s Christmas so special. Hope and pray the weather is great tomorrow morning!
Faye Cook says
Tears, here.
Rusty Scoven says
Mike, how wonderful!
To anyone who read this article, and knows any of the officers involved, please send them an email or phone call and thank them for making this fabulous gift a reality. Our Public Safety leaders are often put under a microscope, so let them know their goods deeds do not go unnoticed.
Margie Ivey says
Soooo sweet!!! Got a tissue?
Kate Nerone says
Mike, you are a man well-connected. I hope everything went off w/out a hitch. I’m sure your smile wattage was right up there w/John Henry’s. There may be a big guy in a red suit, but you are the real Santa. xo