FGH police officer receives 'Kindness In Action' recognition

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - This week's Kindness In Action recipient highlights a Forrest General Hospital police officer who helps brighten the days of young kids during the holidays.

Willie McDay patrols and keeps the local hospital safe for the last 5 years, but he also organizes his department's 'Shop With A Cop' program during Christmas.

“We pick a couple of kids to go and help them shopping, we donate $100 dollars that the officers collected over the year, and its matched by Walmart" McDay said.

"We take them out and shop they get whatever they want, and at the end of the day they are happy" he added

The annual event takes place every year during the month of December where law enforcement agencies across the country give back to the children in their community.

He said, “I just really want them to have a good Christmas, the department wants them to have a really good Christmas, we just want to do everything we can to ensure that we have one, just by taking them out and getting them a couple of things."

Throughout the entire year he helps raise money for the 3 to 4 children that are picked.

“I think they all know that it is very dear to our heart, and I think the officers just want them to have a good Christmas" McDay said.

He said the smile on each of the kids' face is more than enough. “I think I get more out of a kick from it, than they do" he said.

Although Christmas is months away, McDay hopes to raise double the money this year to help more local children.