Big hearts beneath those badges

Oxford firefighter Darin Balinski helps Neo Parraghi reach a toy on the top shelf. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.
Oxford firefighter Darin Balinski helps Neo Parraghi reach a toy on the top shelf. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

Seventy-five deserving children went shopping for Christmas gifts with local firefighters and police officers Dec. 6 at the Oxford Meijer store as part of the annual Shop with a Hero event.

The kids bought items for themselves along with their parents, siblings and other family members.

Participating agencies included the Oxford Village Police, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, fire departments from Oxford, Orion and Brandon townships and Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance.

Meijer provided two children from each agency with $150 gift cards for shopping, plus a meal of lasagna and garlic bread that was sent home to each child’s family.

The Oxford Firefighters Association was a big contributor to this special event.

The firefighters brought seven kids from two families and each got to spend $200. Meijer contributed $300 toward their shopping experience, while the association kicked in another $1,100.

On top of that, the firefighters association provided each family with a $350 food basket, plus a $200 gift card for perishable groceries.

Downtown Oxford’s 24th Street Sports Tavern donated the meal that the kids and heroes enjoyed together prior to shopping.

 

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