U.S. Coast Guard personnel from Station Kauai and their shoppers and one mom find treasures among the toy aisle on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, during the 2024 Target Heroes and Helpers shopping spree.
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Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island
Kauai Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Ozaki approves when his shopper found a radio-controlled race car on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, during the 2024 Target Heroes and Helpers shopping spree.
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Seventy-five children from six different social service programs, their “hero helpers,” the Target store leadership team, Bull’s Eye and Santa enjoy a group photo on Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, before entering the Target store for a Heroes and Helpers shopping spree.
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Kauai Police Department Lt. Lance Okasaki and his shopper share a busy toy aisle at the Target store on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, during the 2024 Target Heroes and Helpers shopping spree.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
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LIHUE — The U.S. Coast Guard was one of the true heroes on Wednesday during the 2024 Target Heroes and Helpers shopping spree for 75 selected children.
LIHUE — The U.S. Coast Guard was one of the true heroes on Wednesday during the 2024 Target Heroes and Helpers shopping spree for 75 selected children.
“This is the first time we have had the USCG participate,” said Karla Huerta of the Children’s Justice Center. “And, through the coordination of Jakob Arnold, they had 13 guardspeople helping.”
Earlier in the day, the USCG responded to reports of a capsized boat outside Nawiliwili Harbor, and rescued four adults.
The Target Heroes and Helpers is a collaborative effort to provide children from six different programs an opportunity to shop for the holidays with the help of first responders. This year, that included representatives from the Kauai Police Department, including Deputy Chief Mark Ozaki, the Kauai Fire Department, Ocean Safety Bureau, the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and more.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Ozaki. “I’ve been helping shoppers from the time this program was known as ‘Shop With A Cop.’ It is so fun.”
Met by the Target mascot Bull’s Eye as well as Santa, each shopper was given a $100 gift card to shop with. Following the spree through the store’s aisles, the shoppers were treated to a pizza and beverage before leaving.
