Local first responders host 2017 'Shop with a Cop' at Wal-Mart

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Local police, firefighters, militants and paramedics had a little fun with over 60 kids at Wal-mart while participating in ‘Shop with a Cop’ Thursday. Kids from around the Pine Belt were paired up with a first responder to choose a special holiday gift.

“There are some unfortunate people out here in this world and in this community. And as police and firemen, we try to reach out to these kids and these parents. We start with the school and the school usually have counselors that come to us and they tell us, hey we have some kids that are needy, can you help them? And of course as several servants that’s what we do we help,” said Chad Young, Hattiesburg Police Officer and President of the Hattiesburg Area Police and Firefighter association.

Each civil servant helps kids like 11-year-old James Deloach who witnessed a bullet graze his mother’s forehead and 10-year-old Charlie Williams who lost everything in a house fire just a few weeks ago.

“God woke me up with a little heat signal and he told me to look around and so I did. I saw the fire, I woke up and I went to go tell my sisters,” Charlie explained.

James shared with officers that he remembers the reason for the season and he couldn't be more thankful for their generous gift. “Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and giving... thank you for your service,”

First responders hope to keep the tradition going for years to come.