The holiday season was made brighter for nearly three dozen local families through the Pella Holiday Heroes celebration Tuesday night.

Children from the Pella and Pella Christian Schools were able to shop with a local first responder from the Pella Police Department, Pella Fire, or Pella Community Ambulance to buy gifts for their families and themselves.

Pella Police Captain Paul Haase says after five years of the program, it still warms his heart to see the kids connect with local heroes.

He’s thankful to the many sponsors and partners who make the event possible, including Welgaard CPAs, the Pella Walmart, Central Tire and Auto, Central College, and others who help provide additional gifts to the families participating.