Local police officers, firefighters participate in annual Shop with a Hero program

Alaska State Troopers, firefighters, local police officers, wildlife troopers and a variety of first responders were the first on the scene for the annual Shop with a Hero event this year.

Communities around the state host this unique opportunity every Christmas season, where children from families that may be experiencing hardships are given an envelope of money to shop their local store for gifts for themselves and their families, with the help of a local hero to pick them out.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with some of the local families that just need a little extra Christmas love,” Lt. Ryan Anderson of the Alaska State Troopers said.

Lt. Anderson has been participating in the Shop with a Hero events for the last eight years. This was his first time coordinating the event this year in the Valley. In partnership with local agencies like the Wasilla and Palmer Police Departments, fire departments across the Valley, wildlife troopers, correctional officers, Chickaloon Tribal Police and various agencies, the event this year was a huge success, with over 40 children participating and roughly 100 first responders and volunteers.

Each child was given $250 this year to spend on whatever they wanted in the Wasilla Walmart. Funds for the event are raised and distributed by the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains. Walmart is a large partner and a key to the success for the Valley event each year. The store transforms their garden center into a gift wrapping center, with a special Christmas checkout for the kids. Volunteers, usually spouses of first responders, help wrap each gift that the child picks out and Walmart employees ring up each item.

The Shop with a Hero event is designed for children to truly shop for their pleasure and for their families. Lt. Anderson said that many of the kids that participate gravitate towards purchasing food items for their family. To direct them towards gifts like toys and other personalized items, Walmart donates a box of food for each child to take back to their families to enjoy this holiday season.

“It was really good to see the kids come together,” Lt. Anderson said. “The families were very supportive of law enforcement and other first responders. We had a good show, good attitudes, good camaraderie going on.”

The children that participate are referred to the program through school nurses and the Office of Children’s Services. Some may be experiencing financial hardships while others may have had negative experiences with law enforcement in the past, to no fault of their own. By shopping with a hero, this experience can help bring trust and compassion into their lives.

“It gives these kiddos that have been in less than fortunate circumstances a good shot at having a nicer Christmas. It also helps strengthen that rapport with first responders and law enforcement,” Lt. Anderson said.

These types of events allow local law enforcement agencies the chance to show their appreciation and give back to their community. It shows how much the public truly supports them and the Shop with a Hero event allows them to truly be public servants.

“When you talk about law enforcement and our perceived role in the public, it’s good to remember that we really are public servants, not just law enforcement,” Lt. Anderson said. “To me it goes back to the core of serving the community.”

Lt. Anderson hopes to grow the event next year to include even more families and first responders. He is very appreciative of all the support from the community and all those who donated time, money and holiday cheer.

“All these agencies came together to make this possible, and of course [without] Walmart’s support and the chaplain support, none of this would happen without them,” Lt. Anderson said.