HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 29, 2017) – Five students from each of Henderson County Public Schools’ 13 elementary schools will be paired with a local or regional first responder Monday, Dec. 4, and given $100 to spend at the Wal-Mart store in Hendersonville during the city’s fourth “Shop With A Hero” event.
The event and its response from students and school counselors has grown so large, uniformed officers and other first responders from all over the region have been called in to participate. Deputies with the Henderson County and Buncombe County sheriffs’ offices, officers with the Fletcher, Asheville, and Columbus police departments, and firefighters from the Asheville Fire Department will join Hendersonville police officers and fire fighters for the community outreach event.
Student participation was not based solely on financial need, said Shannon Marlowe, director of elementary education. She said school counselors selected students who display leadership potential, who need a boost in self-esteem, or who are consistently giving back to their classmates, schools and community.
After shopping, the students will be treated to a pizza lunch sponsored by Henderson County First Restoration Services in Fletcher, and HCPS Associate Superintendent Dr. John Bryant said the school system is waiving the bus fees, so transportation for students to the event is free. The shopping spree itself is funded through two Wal-Mart Foundation Grants and local donations by Hendersonville Elks Lodge #1616, Hannah Flanagan’s Pub & Eatery, and the Aflac Regional Office in Asheville.
Students are scheduled to arrive at Wal-Mart (250 Highlands Square Drive, Hendersonville) at 8:30 a.m. Monday, and will meet their first responder shopping assistants at 10 a.m., and will begin shopping at 11 a.m.
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