100 keiki were recently matched with volunteer elves and heroes at the Hilo Target as part of the nationwide “Heroes and Helpers” event.

Among the heroes lending a hand, by helping each young person pick out $100 worth of toys or clothing, were 12 officers and staff from the Hawai‘i Island Branch of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE).

Toys filled many of the shopping baskets that stretched from one end of the store to the other, while some of the older keiki took a more practical approach choosing long pants and other clothing items.

Outside the store, volunteers tied everything up in bows at gift wrapping station.

In a press release DOCARE Hawai‘i Island Branch Chief Lawrence Terlep said, “This is the second year we’ve participated in the program and our officers are so happy to be here. They like connecting with the community. You can see their smiles when they help the children. It’s a great program.”

Photo credit: DLNR