12/15/2025
Today we hosted our fourth annual Holidays With Heroes event, and once again we were reminded just how special the Marshall community truly is.
Holidays With Heroes exists for one simple but powerful reason: to give children—regardless of their circumstances—the opportunity to shop for their families during the holidays, while also creating meaningful, positive connections with the everyday heroes who serve our community. Watching children gain confidence as they carefully choose gifts, and seeing genuine relationships form between kids and service members, is what makes this event so impactful year after year.
This event would not be possible without the dedicated service members who consistently show up for our community, not only in times of emergency, but in moments of joy and connection. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers from the Marshall Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, North Memorial Health (Marshall North Ambulance), Lyon County MN Sheriff's Office, Marshall, MN Fire Department. Their presence goes far beyond uniforms—they bring compassion, patience, and encouragement that leaves a lasting impression on every child and family involved.
We also want to sincerely thank the organizations and individuals whose generosity made this event come together:
- Walmart Marshall - E Main St. By opening their doors as our shopping location and providing donations and gift bags, Walmart played a critical role in making the experience feel special and empowering for each child. Their support reflects a commitment to serving local families and strengthening community connections.
- Pizza Ranch. Providing meals while the kids wrapped their gifts may seem simple, but it created a warm, welcoming environment where children could relax, connect, and enjoy the moment. Their generosity helped turn a busy day into a joyful holiday memory.
- Marshall Fire Department. Offering the fire station as a gift-wrapping location once again demonstrated their dedication to community service beyond emergency response. It gave children a safe, fun, and memorable space to prepare gifts for their loved ones.
- The Marshall Independent. By covering and sharing this event, they helped amplify the heart of Holidays With Heroes. Their role in telling local stories ensures that the kindness and collaboration within our community is recognized and celebrated.
- NextEra Energy Resources. For providing a financial donation that directly supported the success of the event. Their investment reflects a commitment to strengthening the communities they serve, especially through initiatives that support families and children.
- Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center (Medsurg/OB staff). The compassion shown daily by Avera’s medical professionals extends far beyond hospital walls. Their support of this event reflects a deep commitment to caring for families and children, not only through healthcare, but through community involvement and generosity.
- Finally, to every service member who volunteered their time—your willingness to invest in these kids is what makes Holidays With Heroes truly meaningful. The relationships you build and the kindness you show create moments these children will carry with them long after the holidays are over.
Marshall is a community built on service, generosity, and heart. Today was a powerful reminder of what can happen when those values come together for our kids. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success.
