MURFREESBORO, TN - "Students whose parents can’t afford Christmas presents like some of their friends’ are heartbroken when they don’t receive gifts", said SRO Sgt. Dustin Cox. He continued, “It breaks your heart to think that a child should wake up on Christmas morning and feel like they aren't loved just because their parents can’t afford it.”
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office SROs want to buy presents, but know they can’t reach all the students needing help. “We have to reach out to the community,” Cox said. That’s why the SROs sponsor the annual Shop with the Sheriff fund-raising event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2 with all three Toot’s restaurants on Broad Street, South Church Street and Franklin Road in Murfreesboro. SROs will visit the diners and ask for donations.
Toot’s President Nick Hays said the Shop with the Sheriff event is one of Toot’s employees’ favorite days of the year. “We love being the venue for this fundraiser that brings Christmas joy to so many local families,” Hays said. “These families need our support now more than ever. We are so grateful!"
Cox said SROs will use the funds raised to take about 30 elementary school children Christmas shopping at Walmart. He noted, “They run through Walmart like they are on top of the world.”
SRO Sam Trubee said the shopping trip lets the SROs make a stronger connection with the students who need help. “We’ve all been there when something isn’t under the tree,” Trubee said.
Cox said the Shop with the Sheriff event is a good time for parents to take their children out to Toot’s for dinner and teach them the power of giving.
He’s taken his daughters to the event several years. His daughter used $20 of her own money to give.
People who can’t attend the fundraiser, but want to contribute may send checks or drop money off to Shop with the Sheriff, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, 940 New Salem Highway or contact him at dcox@rcsotn.org.
Donors may donate through this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/
Again, each dinner at any of the three Murfreesboro Toot's locations from 5:00 to 8:00 pm this coming Tuesday evening (12/2/2025). That's Toot's on Broad Street, South Church Street and Franklin Road in Murfreesboro.
SRO “Shop with the Sheriff” Fundraiser Locations on Dec. 2, 2025 (5 to 8 PM):
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Toot's South: 2992 S Church St, Murfreesboro, TN 37127
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Toot's Broad Street: 860 NW Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
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Toot's West: 4213 Franklin Rd, Murfreesboro, TN 37128
