Dozens of kids from Chatham-Kent will have a memorable holiday thanks to local emergency responders.
Holiday with a Hero, which helps foster positive relationships between youth and emergency service personnel, is currently accepting nominations. The event returned last winter after a three-year hiatus.
Eighty children between the ages of 6 and 12 who are nominated from the community, will be paired with a "hero" to go shopping for gifts for themselves and their families with a loaded gift card on Saturday, December 14.
After shopping, the kids will get to have breakfast with Santa, fun with bouncy castles, and face painting alongside their "hero" while elves wrap their gifts. At the end of the day, each child goes home with a gift bag filled with a ham and goodies to enjoy with their family
The heroes this year include members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS), Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Chatham Detachment, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA), Ontario Parks - Rondeau Provincial Park, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue (CKFR).
Nominations close on November 22, and can be submitted online at https://www.holidaywithahero.ca/nominate-a-child/.
Holiday with a Hero started in 2014 with less than 50 children. All the groups involved would like to thank the multitude of sponsors and volunteers that make Holiday with a Hero possible. Over 100 volunteers help to wrap presents, fundraise and assist through the day.