The Owensville Police Department (OPD) on Monday afternoon wrapped up its fundraising efforts for the annual Shop With a Hero holiday assistance program this week, announcing both the winners of its gun raffle and a fundraising total of $21,337.

According to OPD Chief Scott Griffith, this year’s total surpassed both this year’s goal and last year’s total by more than $6,000, marking a significant boost in support from residents and local donors.

The program, originally known as Shop With a Cop, has expanded over the years to include multiple first responder agencies, prompting the name change to reflect the wider group of “heroes” involved. Today, the program includes OPD, the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Owensville Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Owensville Fire Department (OFD) and other nearby agencies, providing holiday assistance to local youth whose families are experiencing economic hardship.

At a late November meeting of the Owensville Board of Aldermen, Mayor Kevin McFadden spoke about the program’s impact and the community support behind it.

“Being somebody who’s transplanted into the area, one of the things that my wife and I are always amazed about is the giving nature of this community,” he said.

Griffith echoed those sentiments in comments to The Republican on Tuesday.

“In 2025, we’ve raised far more than we have ever raised,” he said, calling the total “outstanding” and expressing appreciation for everyone who contributed.

Shop With a Hero fundraising efforts this year included multiple barbecues, the gun raffle and both solicited and unsolicited donations.

This year’s event will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m., at the Owensville Walmart. A total of 63 children from the Gasconade County R-1, Gasconade County R-2 and Maries County R-2 school districts have been selected to participate. Each child is expected to receive over $250 to use during the shopping trip, where they will be paired with a first responder or “hero.”

For many in the community, the event is a highlight of the season. McFadden described the simple but meaningful experience of watching the children walk through the store with their first responders.

“It’s a great thing to watch…the kids go up and down the aisles with their sponsor or first responder,” he said. “It makes you feel good — really good — about this community and how giving it is.”

Any funds remaining after this year’s event will be carried over to support other OPD community programs, including next year’s Easter Egg Hunt. The department plans to apply leftover funds directly to future youth-focused events to keep the cycle of community support going.

In a Facebook live segment aired Monday afternoon, Owensville police and partners in law enforcement and emergency services agencies revealed the final total of just over $21,000.

The Christmas shopping experience for 63 area children with their host first responder is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Owensville Walmart.

Owensville police Sgt. Brenn Finley on Monday afternoon pulled the winning tickets in a two-gun raffle which was part of the fund-raising for this year’s campaign. Molly Steinbeck was the winner of an American Tactical 300 blackout rifle and Chuck Lewis won the FN 9m pistol.

Funds raised over the past year will provide 29 Owensville area children with the chance to select their own Christmas gifts during the event at Walmart with assistance from an area fireman, law enforcement officers and ambulance personnel. Twelve children from the Bland community will also be participating along with 22 from the Hermann area. The 63 children selected to participate in the program have been chosen with input from school officials in their respective communities.

(With additional reporting by Dave Marnser)