Every year, the Byrnes Mill Police’s Shop with a Hero program offers holiday cheer by giving Christmas gifts to area children in need, with the help of other local first responders.
This year, the program assisted 117 kids from 41 families in the House Springs and High Ridge areas, Byrnes Mill Police Chief Frank T. Selvaggio said.
On Dec. 3, the children and several first responders, including local police officers, firefighters, paramedics and tow truck drivers, went shopping at the Walmart store in High Ridge to buy presents.
During the shopping spree, each of the children got to spend $100 on items they wanted, with expenses covered by donations to the program, Selvaggio said.
Shop with a Hero originally was named Shop with a Cop, a community initiative to connect local children with police officers.
Six years ago, the name was changed to show that other first responders also help with the event, Selvaggio said.
Along with the Byrnes Mill Police Department, participating agencies included the High Ridge Fire Protection District, the Big River and North Jefferson County ambulance districts, Jefferson County 911 Dispatch and Northwest Towing.
Volunteers from Spring Hills Presbyterian Church and the Point of Refuge Church, both in Byrnes Mill, and SpiritWord Church in House Springs also were at the Walmart store, Selvaggio said.
The gifts, as well as food baskets for a special holiday family meal, will be distributed to the families on Saturday at Spring Hills Presbyterian Church.
Selvaggio said the program is still accepting donations to help cover the overall cost of the program for items such as gifts, wrapping paper and food.
Checks may be made out to Spring Hills Presbyterian Church, and donations may be dropped off at the Byrnes Mill Police Department, 141 Osage Executive Circle, Byrnes Mill, 63051.
For information, visit the Byrnes Mill Police Department Facebook page.