By Shannon Wright 

If you’ve driven through Doyline in the morning, you may have seen the familiar sight – a group of men gathered at the Doyline Country Store, sipping coffee and “solving the world’s problems one cup at a time,” they say, but what many may not realize is that those same men are quietly making a meaningful difference right here at home.

A few months before Christmas, one simple question sparked something special: What if we tried to help families in our own hometown this Christmas? From that moment, an idea was born and it quickly grew.

Robert Hayden, Chief of Police and a lifelong Doyline resident, shared how it all began.

“All of this got started one day over coffee,” Hayden said. “One of the men asked if I would be interested in starting a Christmas gift program for kids in the Doyline community.”

That conversation opened the door to a project that brought the community together. While the Doyline Police Department helped host the effort, it was truly the men, women, and families of Doyline who made it possible. Through generous donations, hours spent shopping, and volunteer support, Christmas gifts were provided to 20 local families which is a significant accomplishment for a town the size of Doyline.

Each child received items they needed, along with a special gift they had hoped for.

“I was amazed at the people who donated and how the community came together,” Hayden said. “I simply asked for donations and for people who needed help this year, and the men and the community stepped up and made it all happen.”

On Christmas Eve, members of the Doyline Police Department, along with the men and volunteers, personally delivered the gifts to the families.

“It was an honor to see all the excitement and smiles on the kids’ faces,” Hayden added.

Tommy Ward, one of the regulars from the morning coffee group and a Doyline resident, said the project was especially meaningful to him.

“Christmas is a very memorable time for me,” Ward said, “and I wanted to help make it memorable and special for these children.”

Once again, the Village of Doyline proved that it may be a small town, but it has a big heart.

“A special thank you goes out to everyone who donated, shopped, and volunteered their time,” Hayden said. “None of this would have been possible without the community coming together to care for its own.”