DELAND -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies will play host Thursday night at the agency's annual holiday program for underprivileged children in Volusia County, Sheriff's spokeswoman Judie Edwards said.
Now in its 20th year, the 100 Deputies/100 Kids program will welcome approximately 250 children to the festive holiday event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds/Agricultural Center on State Road 44 east of DeLand.
Approximately 95 off-duty deputy sheriffs will escort the families to the party, which will include pony rides, a spin in a Sheriff's Office Hummer, a chance to climb all over real fire trucks, a pizza dinner and a sack full of presents.
The children also will have an extra surprise when Santa Claus arrives from the North Pole. The outdoor activities will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the party kicking off at 6:30 p.m. The non-profit 100 Deputies/100 Kids charity puts on the event annually with money collected from fundraisers and individual and corporate donors.