Phoenix, Fulton, and Oswego Support 2023 Shop with a Hero

by Site Administrator | December 14, 2023 1:32 pm

Fulton – The City of Oswego along with the City of Fulton recently partnered with the Village of Phoenix Police Department and United Way of Greater Oswego County for the 2023 Shop With A Hero event. The purpose of this initiative was to support marginalized children from the three communities with an opportunity to experience a holiday shopping spree at Walmart in Granby. Children who were identified by school personnel and Oswego County DSS were invited to shop alongside local community heroes that included the mayors of Phoenix and Oswego, police officers, firefighters, school district personnel, small business owners, Oswego County Sheriff Deputies, NYS Troopers, Border Patrol and SUNY Police, local members of the legal field, members from Hades Hounds Lake City Club, village trustees and members of city councils, to name a few.

The Village of Phoenix Police Department launched their ‘Shop with a Cop’ program over five years ago under the direction of Phoenix Police Officer Brian Fortino. Since then, this day of caring expanded and grew to the spectacular program it is today. This event is very special to me and brings a big smile to my face each year”! fortunate enough to have the full support of Chief Nerber to coordinate this event and modernize the name from ‘Shop with a Cop’ to ‘’Shop with a Hero’. Our communities are filled with many heroes who have a huge influence on our youth, and this is a great opportunity for the community heroes to build great relationships with them. The turnout of local heroes is amazing and the smiles on the kid’s faces is priceless!” said Officer Fortino.

Several community partners came together to support this year’s program. They include community grants from Walmart and Novelis, sponsorships from Fulton Savings Bank, Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Compass Credit Union, Adam Weitsman with Upstate Shredding/Weitsman Recycling, Gibby’s Irish Pub, GJP Italian Eatery, The Sting, Oswego Lions Club, Fidelis Care, Chick-fil-A, Irish Inn, Burke’s Home Center, Oswego Speedway, Oswego County Sheriff’s Assoc., Oswego County Jailer’s Assoc., Dunkin, Stewart’s Shops-Oswego, Lou Anne Coleman, Esq., Tut’s Hair Pyramid, Maria’s Family Restaurant, Lighthouse Lanes, D Bus/Lee Walker, and several local community members. Also, an in-kind donation from Mystic Music Entertainment topped off the day. The generosity of these businesses, agencies, and individuals helped allow 62 children browse the aisles and pick out holiday gifts for family, friends, or themselves.

“The overwhelming support we received was instrumental in funding the project”, said Patrick Dewine, executive director of United Way of Oswego County. “Each sponsor’s kindness and holiday spirit transformed into an unforgettable day of fun for children who wouldn’t normally have the ability and empowerment to select and purchase gifts for the special people in their life.

Bringing these community partners together for a good cause is what makes Oswego County a great place to live and raise a family” added Dewine. When we were approached by the City of Oswego to partner as the fiscal administrator a few years ago, it seemed like a natural fit. Part of our work in the community includes building successful youth and we saw this event as a learning experience for them. Shop with a Hero provided a unique opportunity for these children to spend quality time with a community leader they may not typically be able to do, they shopped on a budget, and most important, learned the meaning of giving, said Dewine.

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow said, “The Shop with a Hero event is a great concept that helps to lift the spirits of children in our community. Executive Director Patrick Dewine and United Way have been an excellent partner to the City of Oswego as we put this event together. I thank them for their continued support of this event, along with the many other worthwhile causes and events they support each and every year.”

Each child was given a gift card to use while shopping with a “hero” and then treated to lunch, which was generously provided by Chick-fil-A. While enjoying their meal, all their gifts were wrapped by employees of Walmart. Each child was also given a stocking full of holiday treats and visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus. “This program will put big smiles on the children’s faces at Christmas by giving them a chance to shop for their families and meet mentors from the community.  “We hope to continue carrying on this event for many years” said Jennifer Losurdo, Youth Activities Coordinator from the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/phoenix-fulton-and-oswego-support-2023-shop-with-a-hero/

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