Shopping with a First Responder

Thirty-six children from the McKenzie area now have a brighter Christmas, thanks to the collective efforts of the McKenzie Police Department, McKenzie Fire Department, and many individuals who contributed to the second annual Christmas event for the children of the city.

Spearheaded by two public safety first responders in the city, approximately $20,000 was raised to purchase Christmas gifts for children, whose families were identified as those who could use some assistance at Christmas.

McKenzie Police Chief Ryan White and McKenzie Fire Chief Brian Tucker said the people of the community were very generous this year. Each child had a budget of $300 to purchase gifts for themselves. A portion of the receipts was donated to the McKenzie Beta Sigma Phi in their annual Angel Tree program. In total, the Police, Fire, and Beta Sigma Phi are assisting 132 children at Christmas.

The Thursday, December 19 shopping event began at Long Heights Baptist Church, where children were assigned a police officer, firefighter, Huntingdon PD officer, Carroll County Sheriff deputy, THP officer, EMT or paramedic, or TWRA officer with whom to shop at Walmart-Huntingdon. A caravan of emergency vehicles, with both blue and red emergency lights activated, traveled from McKenzie to Huntingdon Walmart.

The children were encouraged to select clothes and gifts for themselves. Cell phones and gift cards could not be purchased with the donated funds.

Santa was in the store and greeted the children as they shopped.

At the checkout counter, Walmart associates marked through the product barcode to prevent the item from being returned for cash or exchange. Mayor Ryan Griffin and Police Chief Ryan White paid for each purchase with the donated money. A receipt was provided for each purchase.

Also in attendance were a host of family members of first responders.