Heroes Give During the Holidays
Heroes and children prepared to shop at Tomah Wal Mart
Tis the season of giving, sharing and caring for your neighbors and others around you. The city of Tomah Police Department, with help from a generous anonymous donor, provided holiday gifts to 24 area children in need of a little seasonal joy through their Shop With a Hero program.
For the past two years, funds have been provided to the Tomah PD. Chief Mark Nicholson of Tomah PD, opened this year’s event to eight law enforcement and public service agencies to assist. Heroes from Cashton Police Department, Fort McCoy Police Department, Kendall Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Tomah Ambulance, Tomah Fire Department, Tomah Police Department, Tomah VAMC Police Department, Wilton Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol paired with a child to spend a $100 gift card in the Tomah Walmart. A purchase of $25 had to be made for family member or friend.
“This was the second year we’ve had our Shop With a Hero program. The donation came from someone that I have gotten to know over the last couple of years,” said Chief Nicholson.
Four members of the Tomah VA Police Department volunteered their time to shop with the children. Chief Rex Sweet, Deputy Chief Billy Carpenter, Det. Nicholas Johns and Officer Phillip Otto.
“It makes me feel great. Being new to the area, it makes me feel as part of the community. Of course, I have a good relationship with Mark Nicholson, the chief of Tomah and this is the first time we’ve been invited to this,” said Chief Sweet. “I’m very honored that we being able to be a part of it.”
Shop With a Hero is a partnership with Walmart and local law enforcement to provide Christmas for at-risk children around the country. Monroe County Human Services provides names of families they work with each year for consideration.
“It’s an amazing thing to be able to see all the heroes and the kids pairing up in our store and seeing how the kids eyes light up,” said Dave Schoeverl, Walmart Store Manager.
