The McDonald County Sheriff's Office is seeking donations for its annual Shop With a Hero program.
Shop With a Hero brings together emergency personnel and children in need of a Christmas shopping experience. Sheriff Michael Hall said the organization has schools nominate families in need, and then they check to make sure the families aren't getting holiday assistance from another organization. Then a child gets $100 and a chance to shop at Walmart with an emergency services worker, such as a police officer, firefighter or EMT.
"This year our goal is 100 kids, so 100 kids will get to have a Christmas they wouldn't normally get to have," Hall said.
Children are allowed to purchase anything they want except for violent video games or violent movies, Hall said. Most of them will buy gifts for their brothers and sisters and moms and dads, he added. Some even buy gifts for their animals, he said.
"It's pretty cool. Every fireman, policeman and EMT that does it loves to see the look on the kid's face when they find that toy they're looking for. Every year we have one that gets a bicycle and a helmet, and that wraps up most of their money in one or two items. It's cool to see them come through the line with that item they wanted," Hall said.
McDonald County residents can help by bringing donations by the Sheriff's Office or the Emergency Management office. Or call the Sheriff's Office and someone will come pick up the donation. Anything will help, even $5 or $10, Hall said. Last year the organization helped 83 children by raising $8,013.
Hall said the organization is doing well with fundraising so far. It is involving the schools through "penny wars" in which the classes fill up a jar with pennies and try to raise the most. The winning class gets to play dodge ball against the Sheriff's Office and gets a pizza party, he said. Also, deputies have been going into businesses doing fundraising, he added.
"It's cool. We've had people come up to us at Walmart while we're shopping with the kids and give us money," he said. "It's been a great program and it's just continued to grow. We're well on the way to hitting (our goal) and being able to do it."
Shop With a Hero will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Jane Walmart. This is the program's seventh year.
General News on 12/08/2016