The City of Baldwin’s annual “Shop With a Hero” provided 20 children in need with toys and clothing in time for the holiday season on Wednesday.
For many children across the United States and in Habersham County, financial hardship is a reality that takes away from holiday fun, but Baldwin’s Fire and Police Departments made sure that children in need would have clothes to keep them warm and toys under the Christmas tree this winter.
The program began in 2014 when the Baldwin Police Department started the “Shop with a Cop” program, but as department heads changed over time, the police and fire departments are now both involved in the once-a-year event. Funds to take area children shopping come from raffles and donations that begin during the summer.
This year, the charity event raised more than $6,000 to disperse among a group of 20 children, the most the city has raised in its seven years.
“All children involved had a wonderful time and also got much-needed clothing,” Baldwin Fire Cheif Joe Roy says. The children were able to buy $150 worth of clothing and $150 worth of toys.
Seven Baldwin firefighters and two police officers, alongside Baldwin City Councilman Larry Lewallen, attended the event to help kids shop at Walmart in Cornelia. Baldwin’s public safety departments were also able to purchase car seats for two children that didn’t have them.
“I would like to thank the whole community for helping us in the fundraisers that we do for this program,” Roy said. “Without them, we would not be able to do this.”
