Shop with a Hero — Lawrence County style

For some, the winter holiday elicits visions of sleep-filled days and an exciting morning of opening Christmas presents that miraculously appear under the tree on Christmas Eve. However, for some families the holidays can be a very stressful sad time worrying about how they will afford to buy food and gifts for their loved ones.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office along with Mt. Vernon Fire Protection District and troopers from Missouri Highway Patrol Troop D, in an effort to ease those concerns for some Miller families, participated in their annual “Shop with a Hero” event.
Seventeen students from the Miller School District were chosen to participate. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, the event was able to raise more than $7,000 which allowed each child a $325 spending limit which they were able to use towards toys, clothes and more, at the Mt. Vernon Wal-mart.
In addition to the money the children were given, each family was given $100 to spend on groceries for their Christmas meal. The community heroes were paired with a child who they assisted in choosing all their great gifts. Each year, with help from local school counselors, children and families who otherwise might not receive much, if anything, for Christmas are chosen because of the families needs, as well as their good behavior in school.  
The following Miller businesses and individuals donated to make the event possible.  Lawrence County Deputies and staff, Miller Lions Club, T&C Stainless, Miller Christian Service Center, The Cutting Edge, Lance & Nancy Phillips, Linda Woolery, Barry Lawrence Crime Stoppers, Three V Corporation, Smothers Signs and Products, Hunt’s Hardware, Stainless Steel Limited and Preferred Stainless Holdings.