Phoenix, Fulton, and Oswego Support 2024 Shop with a Hero

by Contributor | December 10, 2024 10:47 am

FULTON – Jen Losurdo and Catholic Charities of Oswego County along with the City of Fulton recently partnered with the Village of Phoenix Police Department and United Way of Greater Oswego County for the 2024 Shop With A Hero event. The purpose of this initiative was to support marginalized children from Phoenix, Fulton, and Oswego with an opportunity to experience a holiday shopping spree at Walmart in Granby. Children were invited to shop alongside local community heroes from Phoenix, Fulton, and Oswego that included community leaders, police officers and 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, now named “Shop With A Hero”. “This event is very special to me and brings a big smile to my face each year!”, said Officer Brian Fortino. “I am fortunate enough to have the full support of Phoenix Police Chief Nerber to coordinate this event and continually improve the experience for our children.”, added Fortino. “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 this year’s Presenting Sponsor Oswego County Federal Credit Union, along with community grants from Walmart and Novelis, and sponsorships from Fulton Savings Bank, Compass Credit Union, Burritt Motors, Oswego County Deputies Assoc., Oswego County Silver Star Corrections Assoc., Gibby’s Irish Pub, Oscar Roofing, Inc., Chris Nelson-State Farm Insurance, Caruso Tax & Accounting, Oswego Wine & Liquor, The Sting, Oswego Lions Club, Oswego Sub Shop, Fidelis Care, Chick-fil-A, Port City Hearing, Oswego County Sheriff’s Assoc., Oswego County Jailer’s Assoc., Dunkin, Stewart’s Shops-Oswego, Lou Anne Rucynski Coleman, Esq., Tut’s Hair Pyramid, Nelson Funeral Home, 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 60 children to 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. “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.

“As a first-time participating “Hero” in the Shop With A Hero Event along with a few Fulton City Councilors and our first responders, I was overwhelmed and impressed by this entire experience.” said Fulton Mayor Jim Rice. “It was a pleasure being paired up with a child from our community and spending one-on-one time with them as they completed their shopping wish list. We were all truly humbled by this opportunity and are already looking forward to next year’s event”, added Rice.

Village of Phoenix Mayor Brian Borchik shared his thoughts, too. “I am honored to be able to participate in the Shop With A Hero event. There is no greater joy than seeing the smile of a child live the Christmas spirit.”  “It is also a pleasure to do this alongside some of the most kind and generous people in Oswego County. Many thanks to The Village of Phoenix Police Department’s own Officer Brian Fortino and all the others involved in making this happen” added Borchik.

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 and community volunteers. Each child was also given a stocking full of holiday treats and visited with Santa 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, Primary Violence Prevention Educator with Catholic Charities of Oswego County.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/phoenix-fulton-and-oswego-support-2024-shop-with-a-hero/

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