Christmas comes early in Carroll County thanks to annual ‘Shop with a First Responder’ event

CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. — Christmas is officially a little more than a week away but Monday night, for some area kids, Christmas came a little early.

A group of first responders had the honor of taking a group of about 75 kids out to Walmart in Huntingdon for McKenzie’s for their first ‘Shop With a First Responder’ event.

Police officers, firefighters, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency agents, rescue squads and other first responders escorted the kids around the store.

Each child was given $300 to choose gifts for themselves or for loved ones to share the magic of the season.

“It’s amazing. This is what we work for. We spend all year, the police and fire department, we’re very unique in this program. A lot of times you can ‘shop with a cop’ and it’s the police department. I think we’re one of the few that actually partners with the fire department,” said Chief Ryan White with the McKenzie Police Department.

The money raised throughout the year makes it possible for each child’s family to receive a meal for Christmas. Organizers tell us they’re looking forward to next year’s ‘Shop with a First Responder’ event.

For more Carroll County news, click here.