Gary Brock lifelong resident of Greenville, S.C. grew up in the Berea Community and graduated from Berea High School. I started a career with Greenville Water in 1980 and in 1985 I was fulltime firefighter with Berea Fire Department. I served as a volunteer starting in 1982 and always wanted to help people. I’m married to my beautiful wife Julie, and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren and reside in Travelers Rest.

I attend Berea First Baptist Church where I first got into helping people while I was in school. BFBC has a Camp program that I have been a part of for 45 years. I never got to attend as a camper but have witnessed its results. My work with young people has always been a passion with me and to be able to serve. I’m currently Chairman of the Deacons and serve Him.

I currently work with Berea FD as Fire Chief, advancing through the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Fire Chief in 1996. I have served on Committees of the Greenville County Fire Chief’s Association with the Honor Guard and later with the Executive Board and President of the Assoc. in 2021.

Through my career at Berea Fire Department for 42 years I have witnessed the good, bad and ugly, and wanted to give back to those that have suffered through a tragic loss. When I heard about the LEO Santa and what it stood for, I wanted our department to be a part of and what a blessing it has been. Our personnel have participated the last several years and every time I hear what a pleasure it was to help give back to the misfortunate during the Christmas season.

Several years ago, on Dec. 20, 2014. Our department experienced a tragic loss that has haunted me with the loss of young kids losing their parents and their home and not knowing what was to come. Now as I have the opportunity to help with LEO Santa to bridge the gap when someone loses their home, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Anne Lee Buck is the Coordinator of Community Collaboration at Greenville County Schools, where she spearheads efforts to cultivate relationships and partnerships with community stakeholders. With a focus on advancing the District’s Graduation Plus initiative, she collaborates with businesses, industry groups, and nonprofits to enrich students’ educational experiences. Anne Lee has a background working for nonprofits, government, corporations, and education. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Middle Grades Education from the College of Charleston and a Masters of Education in Literacy from the Citadel. Drawing from her experiences in corporate and nonprofit sectors, coupled with her passion for education, Ms. Buck is uniquely positioned to establish and nurture partnerships to support LEO Santa.

Billy Crank is a native South Carolinian who grew up in Atlanta. He moved back to SC in1980 with Michelin North America and to Greenville in 1985. Volunteerism is in your DNA he has said, and as a result, has been involved in many not for profit organizations in the area. LEO Santa provided another opportunity for service with tremendous reward and personal satisfaction. As one of the Santas, that look of magic from a deserving child is indescribable! I love it!!

Sean Dogan is the Pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church. He has served there for over 25 years. His passions are helping others that are in need and watching people achieve their goals. He is also the Director of Community Health for Bon Secours Mercy Health for the Greenville, SC Market.

He is happy to be a part of Leo Santa and seeing the impact that it makes in children and families’ lives.

Benjamin Ford grew up in Marietta-Travelers Rest area of Greenville County in South Carolina. Mr. Ford has spent more than 25 years working in the law enforcement profession and is currently the Chief of Police at the Travelers Rest Police Department. He began his career working the SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon services before moving on to the Mauldin Police Department where he spent the majority of his career. Mr. Ford also worked 1 year for the SC Law Enforcement Division. Mr. Ford is happily married and is blessed with 3 sons. He currently resides in Travelers Rest with his family serving the community daily as the Police Chief.

Personal Note: I am extremely excited to be the Chief of Police in Travelers Rest and to serve this community. For 5 years now, I have overseen the annual Christmas Toy Drive sponsored and organized by the Travelers Rest Police Department and the City of Travelers Rest. My heart overflows with joy when I see children happy and receiving gifts at Christmas time. I am especially excited to now volunteer and unite with LEO Santa to continue making a difference in the lives of children and families all over Greenville County. Making a positive difference in peoples’ lives is the true reward for a Law Enforcement professional!

Since becoming a criminal defense lawyer in 2008, Rob has seen firsthand the delicate relationship between law enforcement and the members of the community that they serve. He has also seen the impact that difficult times have upon the children of Greenville County. LEO Santa is a wonderful way for law enforcement to create a positive experience for these children and Rob is honored to have been invited to be a board member. When not practicing law, Rob enjoys spending time with his family and working on vintage cars.

Jeremy Jones was born and raised in Greenville and had dreams from a young age of working in law enforcement. Jeremy was a volunteer firefighter during and shortly after high school. After graduating from Traveler’s Rest High School, Jeremy worked at Perry Correctional as a contraband sergeant for 8 years. Jeremy then followed his dreams and has now been protecting and serving his community for 20 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

Working every day in our communities, Jeremy saw a need, especially at Christmas time, and decided to bring some joy and extra love to the kids in our community. Jeremy and his wife started taking toys in his patrol car Christmas Eve which later would evolve into LEO Santa. Jeremy, along with fellow first responders, have found great joy in protecting and serving their community in a new way.

Jeremy has been married to his wife for 11 years and has been blessed with 5 beautiful daughters. When he isn’t working you will find him hunting , fishing, gardening or beekeeping .

Bart McEntire grew up in Ballantine, SC and spent more than 40 years working within the law enforcement profession. Bart began his career with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department followed by 23 years as an agent with the ATF. Upon his retirement, he spent several years in the private security sector before becoming the first commander of the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Unit. In January 2022, he stepped down as the Commander to focus on family. Bart is happily married and blessed with two wonderful children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. Currently he resides in Lexington, SC and is a constant visitor to Greenville, SC to visit his son and his family.

Personal Note: I, like many of my fellow law enforcement professionals, have witnessed poverty and the struggles of people regularly throughout my career. I have seen the emotional trauma of children and their parents living in hardship. Christmas especially can be an emotional and stressful time for both children not knowing if gifts will arrive or family members struggling to make ends meet. Not knowing if enough money will be left to surprise their child. I find great comfort in volunteering my time each year to LEO Santa knowing we fill the gap and bring joy and comfort to the children and family members in our communities. LEO Santa provides a great level of emotional and personal support to struggling parents, grandparents, and caretakers of children along with bridging the social gaps between first responders and individuals.

Angel was born in Greenville and grew up in Travelers Rest, SC. After graduating from Travelers Rest High School in 2000, Angel went on to complete her BS degree in Business from Erskine College in 2004. Currently, Angel is employed at Greenville County Sheriff’s Office working as a civilian employee. Angel’s 17 year career with Greenville County began in Family Court in 2006 working in the accounting department. In December 2018 she accepted a position with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, first working in the Vice & Narcotics Unit / Greenville County Multi-jurisdictional Unit and now working in Administrative Services in finance. Angel resides in Greenville and attends Edwards Road Baptist Church.

Angel is happily married to her husband Ben since 2015 and is blessed with two wild wonderful boys, Fletcher and Winston.

“I love how LEO Santa unites the community and law enforcement together to deliver joy to children at Christmas.”

Christina Weiner grew up in a small town in MA and moved to Greenville, SC in 1995 to finish high school, and continue her education at Clemson University. As a graduate from Clemson University in 2001, with a BS in Biology, Christina has spent 20+ years in the IT field/technology sales. Christina began her career at Bellsouth Communications and through several positions, now works at AT&T Business in mobility Enterprise sales. Christina is happily married to a Lieutenant at Greenville County Sheriffs Office and has been blessed with two children. Christina currently resides in Taylors, SC close to the mountains on a small farm, Bonze Farm. Bonze Farm is a hobby of hers, with many animals: miniature donkeys, goats, chickens, etc.

Christina has always been interesting in volunteering and helping others, and with her husband in law enforcement, she often sees the struggles families endure. This interest led her to LEO Santa, as the nonprofit encompasses both her love for volunteering, as well as supporting those local families of children that have been associated with trauma. LEO Santa goes further and attempts to bridge possible gaps between law enforcement and families.

Christmas is a holiday that is near and dear to Christina’s heart, because she was born very close to Christmas, hence her name, Christina, but also due to her faith. Christina’s faith has always taught her to give more than receive, and to always help others. The Christmas season and LEO Santa allows her to help those less fortunate families, specifically, those children that may otherwise not have a Christmas.