The holiday season was made brighter for 33 local children through the Pella Holiday Heroes celebration Tuesday night.

Families 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 eight years of the program, it still warms his heart to see the kids connect with local heroes.

“Police, Fire and EMS, we all kind of fall into that same category that we don’t always get to see people on their best day and a lot of times it might be their worst day. So, getting to have this interaction where it’s all about a good time and a fun time, and, celebrating the holidays with the kids and it’s just a really great time to get back to the community.”

Haase also says he is 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. Hear more about the Holiday Heroes event on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.