SAN ANGELO, TX — Can one toy make a difference in a child's life? Ask a police officer and odds are they'll tell you yes. Especially a 25-year veteran of the San Angelo Police Department who's seen it time and time again.
"I use it as a tool to let the little ones know that we're not just there to take someone to jail, we have other reasons for being there,” Officer Butch James said.
While on patrol, Officer Butch James sees a lot of kids going through tough times. They are often victims of domestic violence or have to watch one of their family members being arrested. SAPD has some stuffed animals the officers can give children, but Officer James wanted to do more. So, he called in reinforcements.
"She took stuffed animals to a whole different level,” James said.
"About twice a week, I'll get out and go and find toys that are in really good shape and clean them up and get a bunch of them...he called me the other day and he said 'I'm out of toys, when are you coming?'” Ora Mae Deere said.
His aunt, Ora Mae Deere lives in Bedford. She makes the trip to West Texas, car loaded down with toys, regularly.
"Everybody needs to know that they are loved and they are important,” Deere said.
Those were two things Officer James didn't know when he was young. But he does know what those kids are going through because he lived it.
"I mean I spent my entire childhood in foster care, went through a little over 60 foster homes, 3 children's shelters, 2 boys ranches. I ended up at West Texas Boys Ranch in 1976 I believe and in 1980 a family from Bronte came and got me for Christmas and ended up staying with them and about two years later they adopted me and that's my mom and dad,” James said.
At age 15, he finally had a forever home and some good role models. His new dad was a San Angelo Police Officer and his new uncle was once Chief of Police at SAPD.
"Raised me, disciplined me and didn't beat me so I learned the difference between just being beat and actually being disciplined and went in the Marine Corps and got out of the Marine Corps and became a cop and I love it. I love it,” James said.
Both Officer James and his aunt say they enjoy giving just as much as the kids enjoy their new toy.
"The smile is just awesome,” James said.
"My favorite part is that I'm helping to make life better for children and this is what God says to do 'take what you have and give' and I just feel like that's what I should be doing and that's what I want to be doing,” Deere said.
"It affects kids. It really does,” James said.
Officer James says he'll continue to make an impact one toy at a time. If we want the world to change, we have to be the ones who change it. So how are you making a difference?