Funds being raised for Scott County's 'Shop With A Hero'

BENTON -- Until early this week, organizers of Scott County's Shop With A Hero didn't know if they'd be able to offer the program to local children this year.

But that all changed Monday when they learned the program had received some funding.

"We weren't sure if a grant was going to come through, but a small one came through (on Monday)," said Shawn Wood with the Scott County Sheriff's Department.

Through the program, children get to shop with a hero in the form of a local police officer, fire fighter or first responder at Christmas time.

Last year children who lived in south Scott County shopped at Walmart in Sikeston while children from northern Scott County shopped at the Cape Walmart, which impacted a total of 60 children. Each child spent $100.

This year the event will take place at the retail giant's Sikeston location only, and the goal is to give 30 children from Scott County $50 to $100 to spend, Wood said.

Donations can be dropped off at the sheriff's office in Benton this week, or donors can call the sheriff's office and someone with the department will come and pick it up, Wood said.

On Tuesday Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said he's happy Scott County children will be able to shop with their heroes once again this year.

"I think we (officers) have more fun than what the kids do," Walter said. "We get to go out and reap the benefits. I'll go and help one child and then watch several of them go through the aisles."

Walter said he loves participating in the event.

"A lot of times, these kids will really surprise you. They'll pick out something for their mom or their sister or somebody other than themselves, which is really amazing," Walter said.

This will be the fourth year the program has been offered in Scott County.

The law enforcement and emergency officials are the heroes children get to shop with, but Walter said the community members are also heroes of the program.

"It's fun and we get to do that through other people who donate money to make this happen," Walter said "And there's a lot generous people in the community. They're the ones who make this work."

Checks can be made payable to Scott County Sheriff's office with the memo: "Shop With a Hero." For more information, contact the sheriff's department at (573) 471-3530.

For the complete story, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.