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While most young children enjoy playing with toys, Autumn Huneycutt, a first grade student at Locust Elementary, made a selfless gesture last November when she sold many of her own at a yard sale to help raise money for the popular Shop with a Cop program.

After presenting a check for $79 to the organizers of the annual program, which pairs officers with children to purchase them gifts for the holidays, Huneycutt then donated her unsold toys to West Stanly Christian Ministries to distribute.

As a result of her willingness to serve her community, Huneycutt, with mom Katy by her side, was presented Thursday night with the Locust Police Department’s inaugural Citizen of the Year award during the Locust City Council meeting.

“Miss Huneycutt’s actions truly personify what a City With A Soul means and her good deed was an extraordinary display of selflessness, caring, and responsibility for her fellow citizens and students,” Police Chief Jeff Shew said. “The Locust Police Department is also incredibly proud and blessed that Miss Huneycutt is a resident of this great city.”

“In a world where it’s easy to see and focus on the bad,” Shew added, “a child like Autumn really makes you realize all the good, and gives a lot of bright hope for the future of our area and even the country overall.”

Mayor Steve Huber also spoke about how Huneycutt’s giving nature makes her the “perfect role model” for other children her age to aspire to be like.

“We talk about Locust, our city, being a City with a Soul, well you are part of that soul, young lady, so congratulations and thank you very much,” Huber added.