Adrian, MI – For the past twelve holiday seasons, LISD employee Chris Howard has helped bring joy and connection to dozens of Lenawee County children through Meijer’s annual Shop with a Hero event. The program itself is a Meijer corporate initiative designed to support the communities they serve and to invest in local youth through meaningful experiences. What began years ago as a simple partnership has grown into a tradition rooted in generosity, community spirit, and genuine relationships. Well before the December event, Meijer reaches out to Chris with details, and each year he takes on the task of coordinating with local schools to select students who would benefit most. Every child receives a one-hundred-dollar gift card and is paired with a community hero for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Parents wait near the front of the store while the children venture off with their heroes to find the perfect gift, creating space for authentic connection during the shopping trip.
A key part of the event is the care used to select the students who participate. Chris works with counselors and homeless liaisons across all Lenawee County districts. The goal is to offer this opportunity to students who will truly benefit and who may not have participated in past years. Chris knows that there are more students who could use this support than the program can serve, so he and the districts take great care to extend the invitation to those who need it most.
For Chris, the magic of Shop with a Hero goes far beyond the toys students bring home. Meijer transforms part of the store into a welcoming space for families and provides cookies and treats to make the evening feel special. Heroes come from many different corners of the community, including police, fire, EMS, and even sports teams. The wide variety of backgrounds creates meaningful connections for the children who often look up to these individuals. Chris has seen firsthand how these relationships begin to form during the shopping trip and how much they mean to the students.
The planning behind the event is extensive and starts long before the first child steps through the doors of the store. Meijer works to secure the initial funding and local businesses often step forward to expand opportunities for more students. This year, Wacker Chemical and Maverick Spirits LLC contributed funds that allowed additional children to participate. As the list of students grows, so does the coordination required. Families and heroes must be invited and scheduled, and Chris works carefully to make sure the evening flows smoothly. Timing is everything, from staggering arrival times to managing the bustling toy aisles. Some children come prepared with a list and are ready to check out within minutes. Others take their time exploring every section of the store. No matter how long the search takes, Chris says the result is always the same. Every child leaves with a smile.
Memories from the event stick with him long after the last cart rolls through the checkout. One highlight came from watching a student shop with members of the Adrian College hockey team. Their kindness and enthusiasm made a lasting impression, and the child did not want the night to end. The players invited him to come to a game and promised to give him a tour of their facilities any time. For Chris, it was a reminder of why this event stands apart from others. It is not just about the gifts. It is the experience.
The heroes themselves add an energy that fills the store. High fives, laughter, and looks of excitement move through the aisles. Chris watches only a fraction of what happens, but he knows that these adults become role models almost instantly. Their presence represents the heart of the community.
For Chris, the event carries personal meaning. His work often brings difficult stories across his desk, and this night provides a welcome shift. Seeing seventy-five children connect with caring adults, choose their own toys, and leave with a moment of pure positivity is something he carries with pride. He is also deeply grateful for the heroes who step forward and give their time during a busy season.
Chris hopes that the students leave with a sense of appreciation not only for the gifts but also for the generosity and kindness behind the event. He wants them to understand the number of volunteers who came together to create this experience. While he does not foresee major changes in the future, he hopes to continue expanding the diversity of community heroes involved. The team learned during the pandemic that the heart of the event is about far more than the items purchased.
As he reflected on this year’s event, Chris shared one final message. He expressed his gratitude to Ben Negron, Lisa Hendricks, and the entire Meijer team for making Shop with a Hero a priority. He also offered thanks to the heroes whose energy and positivity shaped the experience for every child who walked through the doors. For Chris and for the many families touched by this tradition, Shop with a Hero continues to be a bright moment during the holiday season and a reminder of what community can look like when people gather with purpose and care.