A new program in Pella aims to help kids have a better Christmas, and in turn, build a better relationship with their heroes in uniform.

Pella Police Lt. Paul Haase tells KNIA/KRLS News that the Pella Police Department and Pella Fire are partnering with Schuring and Uitermarkt and Walmart for the first annual Pella Holiday Heroes program on December 5th.

“It’s a shopping trip for kids in the community where they are able to shop with a police officer or a firefighter, and really help them out to really just be able to enjoy the holidays,” he says. “We took nominations earlier this fall for kids that we thought would really benefit from being part of this program.”

Haase says the Holiday Heroes program is similar to Shop with a Cop, which aims to not only help youth for the holidays, but to foster a better relationship between kids and emergency responders. The program has received considerable support from the community, according to Haase, and he hopes the program will continue for the foreseeable future.