Fifty-four deserving children, representing 36 families, went shopping for Christmas gifts with approximately 51 local police officers and firefighters Dec. 14 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 Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (Oxford, Addison, Oakland, Orion and Brandon substations) and the fire departments from Oxford, Addison, Brandon and Orion.

Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance also participated.

Meijer sponsored two children from each agency, with the exception of the Orion Fire Dept., for a total of 20. Each kid received a $150 gift card with which to shop.

Every family participating in Shop with a Hero went home with a free meal courtesy of Meijer.

Community donations and local fund-raising efforts paid to provide shopping experiences for those children not sponsored by Meijer.

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