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December
Weekly - Press
2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Local Agencies Conduct Shop with a Hero
This year’s Shop with a Hero benefitted 122 children from 55 families, with roughly $14,000 in donations to support the program. Photo provided.
Bethel Lutheran Preschool Director/Teacher: Amanda Ransom
Name: Hayden Cross Age: 4 years old Dear Santa, I would like a blue toy house, with an oven. My sister Cambrie wants a new baby doll. My mom needs a new spray bottle for her hair. I will leave you some Santa head cookies that look like you, and some milk and sweet tea. For the reindeer I will leave some gingerbread cookies. Love, Hayden Cross Name: Quinn Wadkins Age: 4 years old Dear Santa, For Christmas, I would like a paw patrol Chase and Sky, and a baby doll with a diaper. Please bring Gibson something Sonic. My mom would like a new hair dryer. My dad really needs some cigars, because he only has one left. I will leave out some milk and gingerbread cookies for you. I will leave some fish for the reindeer to eat. Thank you Santa! Love, Quinn Wadkins Name: Tobias Brown Age: 4 years old Dear Santa, I would like a blue slinky, a hot wheels duck battle monster truck, and a bumblebee transformer. I’m also out of batteries. Bring my mom some pink fingernail polish. My dad would like a book that tells about the inside of the human body. My little sister Breezie would like a remote control dinosaur transformer. I will leave you some milk and gingerbread cookies. The reindeer can eat some grass while they are at my house. Merry Christmas, Tobias Brown Name: Wren Norton Age: 4 years old Dear Santa, I want a pink stuffed cat for Christmas. Bring mommy and Oma some new books to read. I will leave you some snowman cookies and milk, and some carrots for the reindeer. Love, Wren Norton Name: Breezie Brown Age: 3 years old Dear Santa, I need some pink sparkle shoes. I want a big Minnie Mouse house, and a pink crayon. Bring some cupcakes for my mom, and some Cookie Monster shoes for my dad. Bring my brother a stuffed puppy that looks like Ember. I will leave you and the reindeer some milk and chocolate animal crackers. Love, Breezie Brown Letters Sent to Us Dear Santa, My Name is Lucas Stein and I am one and a half years old. I have been told I have been a very good boy this year, especially from GaGa. What I want
for Christmas is anything that has wheels. Monster trucks, cars, or trains, whichever you prefer. I will be sure to leave out cookies and milk for you and carrots for your reindeer. Love, Lucas SIU Southern Region Early Childhood Programs- Du Quoin
Ms. Terra & Ms. Abi’s AM Class Dear Santa, My name is Arie, and I am 3 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like toy elves, a Bluey Kite, a Barbie House that is pink, a camera, and a baby doll. Love, Arie D.
Above Left: Santa and Mrs. Claus await visitors at the Du Quoin Walmart for Shop with a Hero. Above Right: Shop with a Hero checks out gifts at Du Quoin Walmart.
Dear Santa, My name is Castiel, and I am 3 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like construction toys, Spiderman toys, Superhero powers, and a piano. Love, Castiel P. Dear Santa, I am 4 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like an excavator, a fire truck, a bulldozer, a tank, and a semi with ramps. Love, G.J.
Above Left: Du Quoin Police Department Officer Josh Williams assists a family with picking out Christmas gifts. Above Right: DQPD Sgt. Scott Beasley looks over toys as he helps a family during Shop with a Hero.
Dear Santa, My name is Jovanni and I am 3 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like a Spiderman toy, color flashcards, monster trucks, Lightening McQueen toys, and a bike. Love, Jovanni M. Dear Santa, My name is Kylan, and I am 3 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like a big blue monster truck, Blue Chase from Mighty Pups, Power Rangers, Dino Eggs, and anything that has to do with dinosaurs. Love, Kylan L. Dear Santa, My name is Sage and I am 3 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like chocolate, chocolate cars, cars, monster trucks, tools, Bluey toys, and a bat dissection Love, Sage M.
Above Left: Perry County Sheriff Chad Howard smiles as a family checks out their items. Above Right: DQPD Assistant Police Chief Chris Robinson looks over the list of families.
Dear Santa, My name is Sawyer, and I am 4 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like Zombie cops, 2 guys with an army boat, soldiers, and zombie sharks that have one eye and bites all over them. Love, Sawyer A. Dear Santa, My name is Zaidin, and I am 4 years old. I have been very good this year! For Christmas this year I would like a tool bench, tools, firefighter stuff, cars, clothes, and shoes. Love, Zaidin D.
Above Left: Du Quoin Fire Department’s Heath Melton helps a family pick out clothes. Above Right: DQPD Chief Steve Ingram watches as families make their way through the toys at the Du Quoin Walmart.