Thirty-three Parkland students were treated to a special Christmas shopping spree lasr December thanks to the efforts of Target, the Parkland School District, South Whitehall and Upper Macungie police officers, Lehigh County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania State Troopers and Parkland School Board member David Kennedy and his wife, Elizabeth.

The youngsters, three students from each of the 11 Parkland schools, were chosen by their guidance counselors to take part in participate in the annual Heroes and Helpers program.

Each child who was escorted by a police officer or emergency medical service provider were encouraged to not just purchase items for themselves, but to include Christmas gifts for parents, siblings and those close to them.

The total raised for the program this year was close to $8,000.

After the shopping spree, the youngsters and their officers received help from volunteers to wrap their purchases at Cetronia Ambulance Corps, South Whitehall.

The youngsters and their officers were also treated to a catered lunch of hoagies, pizza, vegetable trays, chips, soda, coffee and water from Belfor Property Restoration, Allentown, which was invited by South Whitehall Police Officer Jason Grozier.

Cetronia provided the desserts which included cookies and brownies.