art4 First responders and kids jam toy aisles Saturday during Shop With a Hero at Poplar Bluff Walmart Supercenter. Photo by Stephen Hankins
art 3 AFTER: PBPD Officer Lane McDaniel and Trinity Turner shopped like professionals Saturday at Shop With a Hero. Photo by Stephen Hankins
art2 BEFORE: PBPD Officer Lane McDaniel and Trinity Turner, 6, prepare for Shop With a Hero Saturday at Walmart Supercenter. Photo by Stephen Hankins
SWAHero art A large crowd assembled Saturday morning for Shop With a Hero at Walmart Supercenter of Poplar Bluff. Photo by Stephen Hankins
Six-year-old Trinity Turner didn’t just have her eyes on toys Saturday, when she joined about 100 other area children for Shop With a Hero.
She took her Hero, Poplar Bluff police officer Lane McDaniel, on a trip through clothing aisles, snagging a pair of pink and gray high-tops, along with some new socks, and school supplies, where she picked up a brand new Mine Mouse backpack.
“She’s very excited,” McDaniel said.
The Eugene Field Elementary student also had her pick of L.O.L Surprise balls, among other toys.
Families started gathering at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Walmart Supercenter for the annual event.
The program is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police, which organizes volunteers from area first responders and donations from the community.
PBPD Sgt. Shonna Grobe said 100 children from the area were chosen to shop with heroes this year.
“They each have a $100 limit,” Grobe said of the event, which was held at Walmart Supercenter in Poplar Bluff. “But this isn’t the time of year or the place to say ‘No’ if they go over.
“If you watch, you’ll see these officers reach for their credit cards if that happens,” she added. “I’ve seen store personnel tell the officers to put their cards back in their wallets and Walmart absorbs the overage. It’s a shared experience for us all. And the expressions on the kids’ faces are worth more than gold.”
Officers grabbed shopping carts and were joined immediately by children who dragged them throughout the store. Most officers were able to help three or four kids shop for their most desired items.
Walmart Asset Protection Coach Matt Redding, 47, of Poplar Bluff called the event “awesome” and said watching kids’ eyes sparkle when they land on items for themselves or their families is a reward in and of itself.
“They get to enjoy a day out on their own,” Redding said. “Making every decision for themselves.
“They don’t have parents telling them ‘No. You don’t need that.’ This is a time for kids to be kids and get to know police officers as friends.”
PBPD Lt. Joe Ward and his wife Christine have attended every Shop With a Hero event since its inception.
“We find a lot of these kids are afraid of officers initially,” the lieutenant said. “By the time they get back from shopping and are tabbing out, ringing up gifts at the registers, they’re hanging on to them.”
That’s a blessing, he added.
“It offers us a chance to build rapport,” he said. “I’ve heard so many parents tell kids if they aren’t good, they’ll ‘have that policeman drag you off.’ I want kids to feel safe when they approach a police officer. We all do. This is another opportunity we have to build trust and relationships with these kids that might last a lifetime.”
Poplar Bluff Middle School Assistant Principal Shelly Ridens said Shop With a Hero is part of Project Christmas Promise, a Poplar Bluff-based non-profit that received more than 1,000 requests to make Christmas a bit brighter for area children.
Wade Davis and Sara Winingnear said their kids enjoyed Shop With a Hero twice, and the program is a gift for all involved.
“I get to see my kids happy,” Winingnear said. “And I get to know people still care.”
It’s not something you find as often these days, she said.
“We just found out two days ago our kids were accepted,” she said. “We didn’t expect this at all. It’s really great.”
Turner had a really good time, McDaniel said.
“Aww, she’s something else,” he said. “She’s very excited. It’s wonderful watching these kids. I’d recommend it. I’ll definitely do it again.”