Local heroes take children shopping

A handful of heroes donated their time and Christmas spirit this holiday season to participate in the annual "Shop with a hero" program last week at Wal-Mart in Cape Girardeau.

Local law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel all participated in the program.

Teachers from area high schools selected students who had worked especially hard this year or whose families could not afford many gifts this season, said police spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis.

"Kids were selected that don't necessarily get the greatest Christmas," he said.

The children were each given a $50 gift card, and each one was assigned an officer or first responder to shop with.