Ruby Coil and Marshall Community Services Officer Chase Dagan talked over some gift ideas for Ruby’s family during the “Holidays With Heroes” event on Sunday. A total of 10 youth shoppers teamed up with emergency responders to go Christmas shopping for their families.

MARSHALL — Two fire trucks pulled up in front of the Marshall Walmart on Sunday and uniformed law enforcement officers walked through the store.

Fortunately, there wasn’t an emergency. Responders were helping area youth take care of some special holiday shopping.

The third annual Holidays With Heroes event was held in Marshall this weekend. Responders from agencies like the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, North Memorial Ambulance and the Marshall Fire Department pushed shopping carts as 10 kids and teens picked out Christmas presents for their families.

This year, Walmart employees also got in on the fun, dressing up as Santa’s elves to help find gifts and answer questions.

Teamwork has been a big part of what makes Holidays With Heroes possible, event organizers said.

“With support from the community, it has been absolutely successful,” said organizer Ryan Anthony. This year, he said, “We see a lot of new faces.”

On Sunday, the kids and teams of emergency responders spread out around the store. Each shopper had a budget and a list of family members to shop for.

“So, what does your brother like?” one officer asked, as their group headed into the toy department.

Some of the 10 young shoppers had planned out what they wanted to get for their family members.

Trinity Elliott knew just what she was looking for.

“She had a list,” said Dane Meyer of North Memorial Ambulance, who was shopping with Trinity.

Other young shoppers had to think a bit more about what to pick for different family members.

“It took a while, because I wanted to find something for my mom,” said Jyreese Whitehead.

Later, kids got to take a ride in a fire truck back to the Marshall fire hall, where they wrapped presents together with emergency responders.

Anthony said getting a chance to go shopping for family members was a meaningful experience for the kids.

“I think children see their parents working so hard, and they don’t always get a chance to give back,” he said. “They just want an opportunity to care for their family.”

Holidays With Heroes was also a chance to build relationships in the community, Anthony said. By supporting the event, area residents, youth, and emergency responders all get a chance to connect with each other.

Anthony also said the Marshall Walmart was “a great host” for the event, and he hoped that in future years, Walmart could help get the word out about Holidays With Heroes.