Sheriff Leon Lott and deputies ring bells for the Salvation Army

A Midlands-area family is pictured with Sheriff Leon Lott and RCSD Sgt. Bryce Hughes ringing the bells earlier this month. In the background is Salvation Army Major Mark Craddock.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department raised over $1,800 in a single day this year

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) were out in force ringing the bells for the Salvation Army from 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. at the northeast Columbia location of Walmart, Thursday, Dec. 4: Sheriff Lott’s shift, which also included deputies regularly featured on the hit TV series On Patrol: LIVE, was from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“This has become a regular Christmas tradition for us since 2021,” said Lott, who prior to the 2023 Kettle Campaign received the Salvation Army Bell-Ringer Commendation Award after his RCSD set fund-raising records in 2021 and 2022. “We love it. Shoppers love it. Kids love it. And that’s what it’s all about: Bringing as much cheer as possible into the lives of others.”

Lott adds: “It’s also interesting seeing how many people give and who gives. Nearly everyone gives. Everyone wants to give.”

Giving indeed. Lott’s RCSD also set single-day fund-raising records in 2023 and 2024. This year, RCSD raised a total $1,861.42 in a single day. Is that number a record as in previous years? The tallies have yet to be finalized – and won’t be until after Christmas – but any amount above $500.00 is considered “a very good day,” according to Salvation Army officials.