Program Director Pam Simon accompanied by two lucky shoppers

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The Season of Giving

Auburn and Hampton Elementary students shop with local heroes

January 12, 2013       Leave a Comment
By: Taylor Lutz

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There was no shortage of holiday spirit in Bay City this year, proving this, students from Auburn and Hampton Elementary Schools gathered at Wal-Mart to do some last minute shopping, aided by unlikely companions as a part of the "Shop with a Hero" program.

This program, beginning in Bay City in 2009, pairs students with local firefighters, police officers, and servicemen to accompany the children while they do their holiday shopping. Pam Simon, program director said "I asked State Police, Bay City Firemen, Bangor Township Firemen, and various servicemen to be our heroes and shop with the children."

Simon, media teacher at both Auburn and Hampton recalled her history with the program, "I started out helping, now I organize the event. In August, I wrote a grant from the Wal-Mart foundation to sponsor twenty students to shop." Simon was granted $1,000 for the program, enough money to sponsor twenty students to shop. Students got to experience holiday shopping in an entirely different way; with local heroes by their side. Once the students checked out their items, they could choose to have the items gift wrapped for their friends and family.

Expressing gratitude for all of the program's sponsors, Simon said "Subway donated popcorn and pop for the shoppers. Wal-Mart donated goody bags and wrapping paper. They were amazing." In addition to this, Pepsi granted the program $500, enough money to sponsor ten more students to shop.

Simon noted her thoughts on the experience, "It was an amazing event. It is so heartwarming, many of the children shopped very unselfish and purchased items for their brothers, sisters, and parents, and even grandparents and teachers" and went on later to say "It is always amazing to see the generosity and Christmas Spirit alive at this event. I believe the heroes enjoy the experience as much as the children. I know I do."

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Taylor Lutz
Taylor Lutz is a student at Bay City Central. She is working toward a career in broadcast journalism and has an interest in the theater, the outdoors and Marine Biology. More from Taylor Lutz

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