Annual Shop With SWAT Event to Benefit Foster Children of Accident Victims

The Sevierville Police Department SWAT unit has scheduled their annual Shop With SWAT event for Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015.

In past years, SWAT team members, with assistance from local school administrators, have selected a group of children to take shopping for Christmas presents, have lunch and spend time with police officers.

This year, the team will take seven children whose foster parents were recently involved in a tragic automobile accident in Sevierville. On Dec. 3, 52-year old Tammy Short died in a crash and 30-year old Melissa Carnal was injured. Together, they had seven foster children that they cared for in Newport.

The SWAT team is asking for donations from the public to help pay for the shopping trip. A Shop With SWAT bank account has been established at Citizens National Bank (CNB) to receive donations. People may donate at any CNB in Sevier County. Any unused money collected will be donated to Melissa Canal for the continued care of the children.

For additional information, please contact SWAT member Detective Kevin Bush at 865-868-1748.