For a couple of hours ob Wednesday afternoon, 78 Clermont children were the
center of attention as local police officers treated them to a shopping adventure.
For the second year, Clermont Police Department sponsored “Holiday with Heroes” a program where at-risk or underserved children known by the officers and school officials get to spend time with an officer and shop for holiday gifts.
Officers from the Oakland, Mascotte and Groveland Police departments, as well as Clermont
Firefighters provided shopping back up.
The children arrived at the Walmart on Johns Lake Road, were give a gold wristband, an empty shopping cart and paired with a first responder. Most made a beeline for the toy department as their first responder buddy kept track of money spent.
“Our school resource officers and school administrators know these kids and the struggles they face day-to-day, Clermont Police Sgt. Chris Martin said. “For a lot of these kids, this is the only Christmas they will get. For others, it’s all about the one-on-one time with a first
responder.
A very special thank you to Senninger Irrigation, South Lake Elks Lodge, Monica Wofford, Refinement Auto Detailing, Walmart and the Clermont Community Champions Foundation who funded this event.
“We all really look forward to this event,” Martin said of the police officers and firefighters. “It provides a little ray of sunshine and hope to these kids who have had a rough year and it provides positive energy to first responders who often see the worst.
