Meijer hosts Shop with a Hero event
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ALPENA -- Wednesday's Shop with a Hero event at Meijer in Alpena was an opportunity for children in the community to bond with local police, fire, military and natural resources officers. It also was an opportunity for them to shop for their loved ones and themselves.
It was the second year for the event, which was sponsored by Meijer and Michigan State Police Alpena Post and it paired children from low income homes with a local hero to pick out presents. Meijer donated 30, $100 gift cards so each child could get a bunch of small presents, or one large one.
Community Services Trooper Ashley Simpson said last year's event was a success and when Pepsi found out about it, it wanted to be included this year. Pepsi donated soda and pizza for the kids and heroes, as well as a case of bottled water for all of the children. Simpson said Dr. Andy Tarkington also was a large supporter of the event. Santa Claus was there to visit with the kids and pose for photos.
Simpson said a list of children was obtained from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and 30 were selected. She said it is fun for the kids, as well as beneficial because they get to know uniformed personnel in a more social setting.
"A lot of these kids may not have seen us in the best light and only see us at one of the worst times of their lives," Simpson said. "This is a chance for us to show them we're regular people and not just someone in a uniform who writes tickets and takes people to jail."
This was the first time Alpena County Deputy Michael Jones participated in the Shop with a Hero event. He said having a good connection with the children in the community is important because it can help them stay out of trouble or report trouble if they witness it.
"They are the eyes and ears of the community just like everybody else and we always strive to have good relationships with them," Jones said. "We want them to know our goal isn't to take everyone to jail, but to keep everybody safe."
Meijer Store Director Warren Richter said it is always a goal of Meijer to give back to the community. He said the Shop with a Hero event is a little more special than some other efforts because of the potential impact is can have on everyone involved.
"Bringing these children together with police, fire and military and making it a positive experience is important," Richter said. "There is so much publicity about negative things about police that positive nights like this are very helpful."
In addition to MSP and Alpena County Sheriff Department, Alpena Police and Fire departments, Montmorency County Sheriff Department, DNR, Alpena CRTC and Alpena Township Fire Department were represented.
Each child also received a backpack full of personal hygiene products and other goodies.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews. Read his blog, Upon Further Review … at www.thealpenanews.com.