Eighty deserving kids got a chance to shop, eat, and have fun with local first responders over the weekend.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Staff Sergeant Brian Knowler and Chair of the Holiday with a Hero Committee said Chatham-Kent's event is one of the largest in Canada.
"This year we're at 80 [kids]," he said. "It seems to be kind of the sweet spot between enough for the kids to get around to all the stations; get their gifts wrapped, have breakfast... and a little bit more chaos."
Each of the selected children were given a preloaded gift card and were able to pick out gifts for themselves and their families. After shopping, the kids and their hero partners went to the John D. Bradley Convention Centre for breakfast with Santa, gift wrapping, and plenty of other fun.
Knowler stated that the program began in Chatham-Kent in 2014. Originally, it was called "Shop with a Cop," but since the first event other first responders have joined in on the fun.
This year, the heroes included members of the Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS), Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA), Ontario Parks - Rondeau Provincial Park, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue (CKFR).
The children who participated were nominated by the community.
"Anybody can nominate a kid, who they feel is deserving," Knowler said. "So, that could either be a child who maybe their family has had some rough circumstances this year all the way to the other end... where maybe they're great kids; they do work around the neighbourhood, they help out, they help their senior neighbours, whatever it might be. So, whatever your definition of 'deserving' is, that's what we've expanded it to this year."
Knowler added that 30-40 volunteers were also involved to make the day run smoothly.
Holiday with a Hero is funded completely by community donors.
"It's all from public funds," Knowler said. "We're actually lucky we're able to carry over a balance from year to year." He added that the program is grateful for every donation, from wrapping paper to tape to money.
Click here to find out more about Holiday with a Hero.
