Dozens of Columbia and Boone County police officers, deputies, paramedics and other first responders joined 12 Boone County families for Tuesday night’s “Shop with a Hero” event at Columbia’s Wal-Mart on Grindstone Parkway.
The event was hosted by Columbia-based First Responder Support (FRS), which was created to promote goodwill between first responders and the community. Former Columbia Police chief Geoff Jones tells 939 the Eagle the event brought a lot of smiles and laughter.
“We see families that have been through a lot and to be able to go shop and do something positive with officers who have seen a lot and just to be able to share some positive time together I think it’s good for officers and firefighters and the medics to be a part of that,” Jones says.
FRS board member Jones tells 939 the Eagle that about 40 first responders participated.
“We said we’re going to do something positive, we need first responders. Everybody who is here volunteered, they weren’t told to come. All of the agency heads were very responsive,” says Jones.
FRS says all 12 families that were selected have suffered losses relating to gun violence, domestic violence of suicide. FRS interim executive director Rick Rowden tells 939 the Eagle that two local Walmart stores provided a $3,000 grant grant for the event. Mr. Rowden praises Walmart’s generosity, saying it significantly contributed to the event’s success.
Columbia and Boone County first responders presented each of the 12 families with $500 Walmart gift cards.
