Brookhaven Walmart Distribution Center and Brookhaven Police Department have partnered to distribute gifts to families in need.

Friday morning, the sounds of laughter and joking joined the rumble of a tractor behind the Brookhaven police station on Hwy. 51, as pallets were unloaded from a trailer and items were distributed to representatives from various area ministries and non-profit groups.

Walmart Distribution Center manager Maurice Montgomery and WDC employee Lakeshia Haynes had contacted BPD Detective Vincent Fernando, asking if the company could contribute to the department’s community outreach efforts by donating toys and other items.

“We said yes!” Det. Fernando said.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” said BPD Chief Kenneth Collins, “and we want to thank Mr. George Ferguson for unloading the pallets for us. He donated the use of his tractor, truck and gooseneck trailer.”

Walmart donated 21 pallets holding more than 1,000 total items, including more than 80 bicycles, 144 tablets and dozens of remote control toy trucks. The donation was worth $13,054.75.

The Rev. Randolph Hamilton, pastor of Mt. Wade Baptist Church, said his church was happy to be a part of getting items to families in need this Christmas, and the donations from Walmart and BPD would be added to other items the church distributes to individuals and agencies such as Toys for Tots.

“We make sure we give to the needy, not the greedy,” Hamilton said. “It’s good to be in a partnership like this.”

“We want to give back to the local community,” Montgomery said. “We employ 1,300 people in this metro area and we want to make sure we give back.”

“This helps bring light and hope to families to get this,” said the Rev. Burnell Robinson, pastor of Crump Chapel. “We’re blessed.”