Klein School Police Host 'Holiday Heroes' Shopping Extravaganza

From the Klein Independent School District:

By Megan Parman -December 13, 2019

When community member Lisa Vasley walked into Academy Sports and Outdoors on Kuykendahl last night, she was greeted by 50 beaming law enforcement officers, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a helpful elf.

What she walked into was Klein ISD Police Department’s Holiday Heroes shopping extravaganza.

“Holiday Heroes is a program that the Klein ISD Police Department started about five years ago where we raise funds to bring students in need on a Christmas shopping trip,” Klein ISD Chief of Police David Kimberly said. “But it’s so much more than that. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to see police officers as human beings.”

As Lisa watched the fun and festivities unfold, she was overcome with emotion.

“I’m new to the area so to see that things like this happen here is just really amazing and it truly brings tears to my eyes,” she said.

For the Holiday Heroes event, students are paired with a law enforcement officer for the duration of the evening. They begin by grabbing grub at CiCi’s Pizza before heading to Academy Sports and Outdoors for a personalized shopping spree. The Klein ISD Police Department raised $14,000 this year to support Holiday Heroes.

“We have given $5,000 so that the students can come, shop, and enjoy their Christmas,” Academy #277 Store Director Jose De Leon said. “We’re really excited about being a part of this event.”

Since the program has grown so much since it began, Chief Kimberly has had to call on other local agencies that share territory with Klein ISD for assistance to ensure every student receives quality one-on-one time and attention. Officers from Spring ISD, Montgomery ISD, Precinct 4 Harris County Constables, and Roman Forest Police Department joined our Klein ISD PD officers in bringing the joy of Christmas to our students.

“Kids are kids everywhere, no matter what school district they attend. We share the same responsibility of bridging gaps and helping our kids grow so we’re excited to be a part of this and work with our brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” Spring ISD Chief of Police Ken Culbreath said.

This event is a true testament to how the Klein Family takes care of one another. In addition to funds raised by the Klein Police Department to support this event, the Klein Oak Student Council raised $2,000 to make sure each child could purchase a coat to keep warm over the holidays.

From there, the students began paying it forward, an act of kindness that no one expected.

“One of the things that strikes me every year when we do this, and it happened just now as I was walking through the registers asking the kids what they got, multiple kids purchased nothing but gifts for their families,” Chief Kimberly said. “It just shows the heart that these kids have for service and sharing. I’m in awe.”

This press release was produced by the Klein Independent School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.