Santa Claus knows these are tough economic times for many local families so last week he called on his brave friends in uniform to help give some very special kids a Merry Christmas this holiday season.
A total of 27 kids, ranging in age from 3 to 16, went on a shopping spree Dec. 11 at the Oxford Meijer with about 32 police officers, firefighters and military personnel.
Dubbed ‘Shop with a Hero,? the event matched one or two children and their wish lists with members of the Oxford and Addison fire departments, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Oxford and Lake Orion village police departments and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thanks to the boundless generosity of Meijer and the Oakland County Credit Union, each child was given $150 to spend on groceries, toys, clothes and personal products for themselves and their families.
‘Holiday time is all about the kids ? that’s why we did it,? said Scott Neff, who manages the Oxford Meijer. ‘I thought it went very well. There were a lot of ‘thank you’s? at the end.?
You could see the pride and pure joy on each child’s face as they got to eat dinner and shop with those uniformed men and women who protect us at home and abroad.
They even got the chance to visit with Santa himself ? the original uniformed hero.
Neff indicated there was a definite emotional effect on his employees as they listened to these kids? stories. ‘They couldn’t believe some of the stuff they were hearing,? he said.
Even Santa got a little choked up when a 14-year-old boy from Oxford told him the only thing he really wanted for Christmas was for the gas to be turned back on at his house.
‘Santa said he fought back the tears,? Neff said.