By HEATHER RUPPE
The Christmas wishes of nearly two dozen Colleton kids were brought to life last weekend during an annual holiday Christmas shopping trip.
In the annual “Shop With Santa’s Heroes,” dozens of cops, firemen, rescue personnel and county officials took disadvantaged Colleton kids Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart in Walterboro on Saturday, Dec. 18th. The event included law enforcement officers and firemen from multiple agencies starting with an escorted trip to Wal-Mart, where they were allowed to shop for themselves for Christmas. The money used to buy the children’s gifts came from donations provided by the community, businesses and residents. In most cases, the firemen and officers also used their own money to buy the children’s gifts.
Then, the children were taken to breakfast at Burger King: the local restaurant provided a free breakfast for the children and the law enforcement and rescue personnel.
The day also included Santa himself being dropped in to visit children: he landed in a helicopter, arranged by Colleton County Fire-Rescue.
In all, about 20 Colleton County children were chosen for the shopping trip. They were selected by the county’s Department of Social Services (DSS), and are in need of help during the holiday, according to Sgt. Tavara Edwards with the Walterboro police Department.
“It is a great event and we are privileged to be a part of it,” said Walterboro Police Chief Wade Marvin. The Walterboro Police Department organizes the event each year, and also included the S.C. Highway Patrol; the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; Colleton County Fire-Rescue; the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED); the Walterboro Fire Department and Colleton County’s Department of Social Services.
Each child was given about $200 to spend.
“It's one of the most rewarding things we get to do each year. The children were so polite and well mannered. They were truly grateful,” said Colleton County Fire-Rescue Chief Barry McRoy, who added that some of the children used gift cards they had received to purchase items for their siblings. “It was a rewarding event, with many happy children to help bring in the holiday spirit,” he said.
