Heroes help local kids
Published 10:49 am Friday, December 19, 2008
With Christmas fast approaching, it’s natural for many to fall into the charitable giving of the season, yet for some even the act of giving a present can be nearly unattainable.
That’s why the Shopping with a Hero program works so well as testified by members of the various Austin civic emergency services and their collaboration with Wal-Mart in making that happen for kids who may be looking at a hard Christmas season.
Members of the Austin Police and Fire Departments, along with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office and Gold Cross Paramedics, took time out Thursday night to go shopping with kids from the Department of Human Services list, not necessarily for themselves, but to help give them the opportunity to shop for others.
It has been about seven years since this was last done with the Austin Fire Department and the help of K-Mart, and both Wal-Mart store manager Lee Kruze and those taking part are happy to be a part of it again. Kruze helped get it going at the store he worked prior in Huron, S.D. the response was well worth any effort in Wal-Mart’s first year in Austin.
“It went very well,” Kruze said of the Huron program. “That’s why we push it. You’re satisfied to the smiles on the kid’s face.”
A kid or kids were paired off with a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or Sheriff’s deputy who then accompanied the child through the store. Each kid was given a $50 gift card, broken down from $2,000 gifted by Wal-Mart.
“We’re happy to be here,” firefighter Troy Tigner said. “We help the kids, and it’s good for Christmas.”
It’s good all around.
“These are under privileged kids that may not have the opportunity like this,” Lt. Rene Phan, of the Austin Police Department said. “It’s a pretty big privilege to be with them while they do this.”