Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance and some of his deputies came to the first day of the Minden St. Jude Auction Thursday in order to present volunteers with a big check.

“This is the fourth year we have done this – it’s called Operation Fuzzy Wuzzy,” said the sheriff. “Our deputies grow beards, but they have to pay money in order to do so. Then we collect that money and give it to St. Jude through the Minden auction.”

This year’s check was for $6,100, bringing the four-year balance to $21,400 gifted by BPSO.

From left: auction co-chair Laura Hollingsworth, Ballance, Capt. Micah Crawford, Investigator Mason Jones and Narcotics Officer Starcorius Dyes.