HOUGHTON LAKE, MI – Wednesday evening a convoy of emergency vehicles with lights flashing, escorted a motor coach from the Houghton Lake State Police Post to the Houghton Lake Walmart. The procession spanned over half a mile. The very important people on that charter bus included young men and women from local schools participating in the 16th annual Houghton Lake Shop with a Hero event. 20 students from Roscommon Elementary, 20 from Collins Elementary in Houghton Lake, and 10 from Charlton Heston Academy in St. Helen were included in the event. Over 60 heroes participated by shopping with the children.
Heroes were made up of personnel from the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department, Roscommon County Central Dispatch, Denton Township Police Department, Richfield Township Police Department, Gerrish Township Police Department, Army National Guard Recruitment Battalion, Army National Guard 1071st Maintenance Company, Roscommon Township Fire Department, Denton Township Fire Department, Lake Township Fire Department, and the Roscommon Township Fire Department.
Each student was provided with a $100 gift card to purchase Christmas presents for themselves and their family members. The cards were made possible by multiple private and commercial donors. The gifts were wrapped by volunteers from the Roscommon County Crime Services Unit and the Houghton Lake High School Cheerleading Squad. Each family was provided with a turkey for Christmas dinner.
This event could not take place without the support and partnership of the management and staff of the Houghton Lake Walmart.
Houghton Lake Troopers also hosted multiple “Stuff a Blue Goose” events resulting in the collection of 491 new toys and $360 in cash donations for Toys For Tots.
Media Release authority of F/Lt. Josh Lator, Commander, Houghton Lake Post
To be a private or corporate sponsor for next year’s Shop with a Hero event or to volunteer with the event, please contact Community Service Trooper Brian Koboldt at 989-324-1534
