Shop with a Hero returns for disadvantaged students

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Towns County Shop with a Hero

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Shop with a Hero, an annual event sponsored by Hiawassee Police Department and Towns County Family Connection, will make the holidays brighter for underprivileged students again this year. FYN sat down with Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith on Thursday, Dec. 5, and learned the details of the 2019 event.

Thanks to a surplus of generous donations that provide disadvantaged youth with holiday shopping funds, Smith explained that he plans to initiate a back-to-school shopping event for local students next fall with the remaining donations. “We received several large donations this year,” Smith said. “We base the number of kids that we take shopping on the amount of donations we get,” Smith said that approximately 40 students will receive $200 each to shop for themselves and their families this year. An additional 40 students will benefit from the back-to-school shopping event which will provide clothing, shoes, and backpacks for the upcoming school year. Towns County Schools selects the students who will participate in the programs.

Hiawassee Police Chief

Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith

Sizable contributions were provided by Kristen Ashe, a Towns County Schools student, who raised over $2,300 in conjunction with Stephens Masonic Lodge for the local Shop with a Hero as her senior project, Blairsville Car Club donated $2,000, and Smokies GT Club donated $10,000 to the worthy cause.

“It’s a very rewarding experience,” Smith said. “This is my 10th year participating and it gets better each year.”

First responders from local law enforcement agencies, the fire department, emergency medical services, as well as the Coast Guard Auxilary participate in the Walmart shopping excursion with the local students. This year’s event will take place on Dec. 20 at the start of Towns County Schools’ Christmas vacation.

For additional information, contact Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith at 706-896-2888.

 

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