Release:

VFD holds Annual Shop with a Firefighter Event

On Tuesday, December 15, the Valdosta Fire Department held their annual Shop with a Firefighter event at the Walmart Supercenter on Norman Drive. The purpose of this program is to brighten the holiday season for Valdosta families by providing selected youth ages 4-12 with some holiday shopping money and allowing them to choose gifts to take home.

The Fire Department met the participating families at Walmart. The children and their families were then escorted to the breakroom to enjoy sacks and meet their designated shopping buddies. There were seven families and fourteen children. Each child received a gift card with a set amount to spend within the store.

The children immediately headed to the toy section, where the real fun began. With cards in hand and smiles on their faces, they browsed the aisles with excitement. Members of the Fire Department helped by keeping track of the children’s balance and carts but quickly found themselves with childlike enthusiasm as they helped select and play with toys.

As a first-time participant of the program herself, Sherina Ferrell, VFD’s new Fire & Life Safety Educator, was delighted to see the happiness this event brought to the children. “I enjoyed Shop with a Firefighter. Anytime you can do something for the community, it is always a great feeling, and I appreciated the opportunity. It was a wonderful experience, and we all enjoy it,” said Ferrell.

The families were incredibly thankful to have participated in this program as they were all survivors of previous home fires and did not have the funds for Christmas this year. This holiday youth program was made possible through the donations made by individuals and several area businesses and Walmart Super Center.