Parachute police officers, Grand Valley Fire Protection District firefighters and more were busy playing Santa on Saturday. Called Shop with a Hero, these first responders took local kids to the Rifle Walmart and used donated funds to purchase whatever they desired.

Toys and games were on the list — but the selfless kids also nabbed family necessities, like toiletries, cleaning supplies and household items.    

Parachute Police Chief Samuel Stuart started Shop with a Hero five years ago. He wanted to help the people of Parachute around the holidays.

“I was chief in 2018 and we’ve done it every year since,” he said. “It was Shop with a Cop the first year, then Shop with a Hero ever since. Now we have firefighters, first responders, dispatchers, teachers, nurses, a lot of different heroes.”

This year, Shop with a Hero helped 14 families.

“They also get a gift card to Family Dollar and a gift card to Clark’s Market,” Stuart said. “We try to help out the families because it’s not just shopping, it’s food.”

Tamara Castellari, the Records and Evidence Custodian for the Parachute Police Department, said many of the items were covered by the retailer. 

“Family Dollar comps all of our wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, they let us get all that for free. It’s a community event,” she said. 

Castellari also talked about how the community donates. 

“We used to have to send out letters asking for donations, but we didn’t have to solicit money at all this year,” she said. “We’re going to put the extra into a bike rodeo this spring.”

Stuart added that the businesses in the area are all willing to donate to help out. Some are also planning to donate to the bike rodeo. 

Parachute officer Will Van Teylingen, one of the heroes, explained the banners on the front of the carts. 

“We have them to let people know what we’re about, because, quite frankly, it helps us when people come up and wonder why there’s so many cops in the store. We partner them (the families) up and let them loose,” he said. 

Stuart said that the Rifle Police Department’s Shop with a Hero event is this coming weekend.