Local heroes find toys and Christmas spirit shopping with kids in South Muncie

MUNCIE, Ind. − At least 146 children were on the receiving end of the Christmas spirit as the traditional Heroes and Helpers Christmas shopping event kept the Walmart on the south side busy Saturday morning.

The event, formerly known as Shop With a Cop, drew more than just law enforcement as a variety of public servants were on hand for the privilege of buying Christmas gifts, picked out by the children, during the shopping excursion.

Muncie Crime Stoppers is the sponsor and the big undertaking is coordinated by retired Muncie Police Sgt. Bruce Qualls, who orchestrated the massive shopping celebration with much help.

"I had to hustle and buy nine more cards," Qualls said as the families lined up in the garden area of the Walmart to receive their hero.

Each police officer or other heroic participant carries a $100 gift card from Walmart for each child in the families on the receiving end of the charity. They then disappear into the store to find the gifts before returning to the designated check-out.

For the day of the event, Qualls said, there is no sales tax charged. About $14,900 worth of gift cards were purchased. A smaller Heroes and Helpers event was conducted at Target in Muncie the pervious week. About 50 children participated there for a total of about 200 children whose Christmases were made a little brighter.

"I'm very impressed," said Christina Brown, a 40-year-old widow from Yorktown, whose children, six-year-old Amir and 9-year-old Jenesis, participated. "It's amazing."

Brown said the event has been important to her family's Christmas since her husband died in 2018.

Qualls said that the Salvation Army in Muncie takes applications from those seeking help and verifies eligibility of participants each year.

He said it has been a few tough years for the charity as donations fell during the pandemic and have not totally recovered. In 2021, shopping at Target had to be canceled due to COVID.

Many of the contributors, which include business organizations across the community, did not give as much or at all this year in the current business climate.

But Qualls and his crew made it work for the children again this year.

"We got enough to do this, just barely," he said.

The Muncie Crime Stoppers board of directors were on hand Saturday. They include Shirley Williams, Tina Black, Kathy Brinson, Courtney Qualls, Chuck Hensley, Cindy Qualls and Mike Mueller.

Walmart South employees aided the event with decorations, bottled water, cupcakes, tables for the board members and hot chocolate and coffee.

Many officers from Muncie Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department were there, including Sheriff Tony Skinner and Police Chief Nathan Sloan. Also escorting families was Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and Deputy Mayor Richard Ivy. Muncie City Councilman Aaron Clark was on hand. Muncie Fire Department personnel, including Chief Robert Mead participated as did member of the Cowan Fire Department.

There were also police officers from Albany, Ball State Police Department, Indiana State Police and Indiana State Excise Police. Muncie Central High School's JROTC members and their commanders helped along with Delaware County Prevention Council Pride Team members.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Local heroes make Christmas shopping excursion with kids in Muncie