Heroes & Helpers Gives Kids Something Special for Christmas

Burbank Police Officers, Explorers, Cadets and Volunteers teamed up with Burbank Noon Rotary members at Target at the Empire Center Thursday evening and held this years”Heroes and Helpers”. The kids were given gift cards and went through the store picking gifts for family members. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank’s Police Department, along with Target, the Burbank Noon Rotary, the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC), held their “Heroes & Helpers” for the Burbank Boys and Girls Club on December 19 at the Burbank’s Target.

.Pictured are Burbank Noon Rotary Member Barry Gussow along with BPD Motor Officer Ryan Murphy with a couple of kids looking for the good deals.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Target, BTAC, and the Burbank Noon Rotary provided funds for 30 less-fortunate kids from the Burbank Boys and Girls Club to go Christmas shopping. Each child was presented $100.00 in gift cards to spend on whomever they wanted, for whatever they wanted for Christmas.

Burbank Police Officers, Cadets, and Explorers, and Noon Rotarians, played Santa’s helpers as they assisted the children with their shopping. With gift cards in hand, the youngsters bought gifts for not only themselves, but also for members of their family, with little prodding from police personnel.

After the shopping experience, the kids were transported to the Burbank Police station, where they joined their families and were treated to an Italian dinner and dessert provided by Ciao Cristina.