The Starkville Police department selected Dominic Ellis and her family to be the recipients of a shopping spree at Walmart Supercenter on Friday.
SPD Chief Frank Nichols said during the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police Winter Education Conference, different chiefs collected donations to help give back to Starkville as a thank you for hosting the conference.
Collectively, the chiefs donated $460 to SPD.
Nichols said the department wanted to adopt a family in the community, by giving them a shopping spree to help alleviate stress associated with the holidays. He said one of his goals is to make sure Starkville as a whole is a united community.
"If we've got people in the community that's in need, then that's us in need too because we are all one family," Nichols said. "It's very important we give back to the community."
Nichols said they chose Ellis because she had lost her son earlier in the year due to a hit-and-run. He said this was their chance to reach out and bless one family.
Ellis danced with joy and thanked the officers for giving her this opportunity.
"I’m so excited," Ellis said. "I'm really shocked they're picking me."
She said at first she didn't want to receive the shopping spree, but her mother encouraged her to because she's been caring for other family members and not focusing on herself.
Ellis said there wasn't anything in particular on her mind of what to get, but she promised she would be "going at it."
"I’m just grateful and I thank God for them," Ellis said.