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MCP file photo
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The annual Shop with a Cop/Shop with a Hero Pie Auction will take place Wednesday, Nov. 25, raising money to help make Christmas brighter for local children and their families. This year, organizers hope to assist at least 75 Mason County families through the holiday program.
The online auction is one of the program’s largest fundraisers, bringing together local residents, businesses and first responders to help families during the Christmas season.
The Shop with a Cop/Shop with a Hero program pairs children with local first responders, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and members of other participating agencies. The children are given an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for themselves and their families, an experience some might not otherwise have. The events are held at the Ludington area Meijer and Walmart stores.
“For some of these children, this is an opportunity they might not otherwise have,” said Ludington Police Department Officer Braden Kronlein.
Beyond the shopping experience, the program provides additional holiday assistance to participating families. Volunteers wrap the gifts purchased by the children, families receive Christmas meals and Christmas trees are made available courtesy of Nickelson’s Tree Farms of Amber Township.
Kronlein said the program is also an opportunity for first responders to connect with children and families in a positive setting.
“For local first responders, this event is about much more than buying gifts,” Kronlein said. “It is an opportunity to build positive relationships with children and families outside of our everyday duties and make a lasting, positive impact in our community.”
The annual pie auction helps provide the funding needed to purchase gifts and meals for participating families. Community members are encouraged to donate homemade or purchased desserts that will be sold to the highest bidders during the online auction.
Despite its name, the pie auction is not limited to pies. Organizers welcome cakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, fudge and other desserts.
Desserts may be dropped off Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the couniclors’ chambers at Ludington Municipal Complex, 400 S. Harrison St.
The online auction will take place Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Shop with a Cop/Hero Facebook group. Participants will be able to view the donated desserts and place bids online.
Winning bidders may pick up their desserts Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the municipal building.
Monetary donations are also welcome from individuals and businesses that would like to support the program but are unable to donate desserts or participate in the auction.
In previous years, the Shop with a Cop/Shop with a Hero program has brought together first responders from agencies throughout Mason County and surrounding areas. Participating children are selected through local school districts.
The program’s success depends on the generosity of the community, Kronlein said. This year’s goal of assisting at least 75 families makes support through the pie auction particularly important.
Funds raised through the auction will go directly toward providing Christmas gifts and meals for participating families.
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