Kids & Uniformed Heroes Take Over Cranberry Walmart During 10th Annual ‘Shop With A Hero’ Event

| December 7, 2021

VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) – The emergency vehicles that gathered at the Cranberry Walmart store on Monday night marked a scene of celebration rather than an emergency.

(Photos and video by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)

Local uniformed heroes from multiple agencies were meeting with children at Walmart to participate in the 10th annual “Shop With a Hero” event.

The event offers underprivileged children the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts with the help of a uniformed hero.

The “heroes” met at PSP Franklin and traveled as a caravan to Walmart in first responder vehicles then meet up with the children.

This year’s heroes included men and women from State Probation & Parole, the Venango County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, Venango County Court Supervision, the US Army, Community Ambulance Service, Oil City Police Department, Oil City Fire Department, Franklin Fire Department, Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, and Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department.

Trooper Michelle McGee, Community Service Officer for the Franklin-based State Police, told exploreVenango.com that coordinating the event always comes with challenges, particularly with the nature of the work first responders do.

“Sometimes there are individuals and agencies that plan to participate who end up being unable to make it,” Trooper McGee explained.

Trooper McGee noted that Sugarcreek Borough Police Department had planned to participate this year, but were unable to attend because of having officers preoccupied with an incident at the time of the event.

“We know that happens sometimes, but we’re flexible, and we do the best we can.”

The 30 children participating in the program this year ranged in age from five to 15. Each was paired with a local hero – a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or a military member, for a few hours of shopping.

Each child was given a Walmart gift certificate provided by the Walmart Gives Foundation and other local civic groups. They also got a Subway gift card, so they could share a meal with their hero before heading home for the night.

“I think it went really well,” Trooper McGee added.

“It’s always exciting to see the kids fill their carts and shop with their partner.”

This year, Riders Advocating Against Child Abuse (RAACA) reached out with a desire to volunteer and members were present to wrap gifts as the children desire.

“This year, with the gift wrapping available, it was really nice to see the kids leave with wrapped presents. It was very festive.”

Also, members of the Cranberry Lions Club donated knitted hats, scarves, and mittens that were made available to the youth.

Family Service & Children’s Aid Society partners with Trooper McGee to host the program, now in its 10th year.

“I couldn’t do it without the volunteers who come to participate, and I really appreciate them. I also want to thank the donors and the Walmart Gives Foundation for financially supporting the event, as well as Allana at Walmart for providing the space and accommodations to make everything run smoothly.”


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Category: Community, Local News, News