‘Hometown Heroes’ donations fill Christmas stockings for first-responders
MADISON – A household fire quenched before disaster. Consolation after a car wreck. Following an emergency, people often are grateful for first-responders’ professionalism. Madison’s “Hometown Heroes” initiative allows residents to show gratitude with Christmas stockings full of gift items.
“It’s that special time of year where our community rallies behind our heroes within the Madison police and fire departments! This year, the passion project has adopted a new tag line – ‘Hometown Heroes: Madison Police’ and ‘Hometown Heroes: Madison Fire & Rescue,’” coordinator Christi Spencer said.
“We have so many incredible heroes who have already been adopted. Sixty more are still available for adoption,” Spencer said.
Spencer was motivated to start Hometown Heroes “as a way to thank the officer who changed my life and to honor our present heroes’ lives,” Spencer said.
“Through your help, we’re celebrating our seventh year of police adoptions and fourth year of firefighter adoptions. This passion project is possible because of you,” Spencer said. “I’m so grateful for your compassion.”
To adopt a Hometown Hero, individuals will complete three steps:
* Adopt a hero (up to 10 maximum), and fill a standard-size stocking with a $25 gift card for retail or restaurants (Amazon and Chick-fil-A are popular choices); energy drinks or Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts coffee; beef jerky; protein bars; salty/sweet snacks; greeting card from the donor (with photo); couple of stocking stuffers; hand sanitizer; Jolly Rancher candy; small writing tablets/pens; and other goodies.
* Deadline for returning stockings is Dec. 18 to Christi Spencer, 42 Autumn Ashe Road in Madison or to Asbury Church, 980 Hughes Road, Building 1 in Madison.
* Invite friends, neighbors, church groups, social media contacts and community volunteers to adopt a Hometown Hero.
Currently, 21 police heroes and 39 firefighter heroes are still available for adoption.
Spencer will deliver stockings to police and fire contacts. For more information, text 256-642-8858, email christi.spencer@weareasbury.com or visit Facebook/Christi Pickett Spencer or Instagram christi_spencer26.
“As a freshman in high school, one officer gave me the beautiful gift of love, acceptance and hope,” Spencer said. Back in seventh grade, she witnessed police at her home, responding to her father’s threats to end his life. With Boynton Beach Police Department,
Olivia, a crisis intervention specialist, “did her best to offer help and hope to him. Tragically, my dad took his life; my world was shattered,” Spencer said.
Then in ninth grade, Spencer “became instant besties with Allie, the new girl at my school. Allie invited me to her home for sleepovers; soon, her home became a second home for me,” Spencer said. “I was in my 30s when I found how beautifully God had woven our paths together. Although I knew Olivia worked for Boynton Beach Police, I didn’t know she was the (person) who did her best to save my dad’s life.”
Olivia drove Spencer home from a sleepover and immediately remembered Spencer and her late father. “Instead of bringing up my painful past, Olivia provided a safe place. Olivia and Allie infused me with love, acceptance and hope. Now, adopting an officer is my way to thank Olivia and (people) who impact lives, like mine,” Spencer said.
