The annual Shop with Santa's Heroes event was held Saturday morning 17-December. The event is coordinated by the Walterboro Police Department and brought responders from Fire-Rescue, Walterboro Police Dept., Colleton County Sheriff's Office, SC Highway Patrol, SC DNR, Walterboro Fire Dept. and Colleton County DSS. Over 20 local children were selected by DSS to participate. Businesses and individuals donate funds each year to make the event a success and bring a brighter Christmas to local children. Participants meet at the City Parking Lot across from the Courthouse on Jefferies Blvd. at 06:30. Each child was allowed to pick a responder and ride with their escort in an emergency vehicle from the City parking lot to Wal-Mart. The children were permitted to operate the emergency equipment on the vehicles during their early morning 2-1/2 mile response to Wal-Mart. Santa arrived on Fire-Rescue Engine 26 to greet the children on their arrival at Wal-Mart. He interacted with the kids and posed for photos and accompanied the kids on the shopping spree. Each child was provided with a gift card worth $300 to purchase what they chose. Some chose toys or clothing, while others bought food items. After completing the exhausting shopping spree, everyone met at Burger King where Cook Enterprises provided breakfast for the entire group. It was a rewarding event, with many happy children to help bring in the holiday spirit.
