TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- More than a dozen heroes, dressed in their police, military and firefighter uniforms, helped save Christmas morning for hundreds of families in northern Michigan.

Their effort was part of Friday’s Toys for Tots ‘Shop with Your Hero Day.’ The event took place at Meijer, where more than 50 kids flooded the store as they shopped alongside their hero counterparts looking for toys to buy families in need.

This was the first year U.S. Marine Corps Captain Greg Stroh participated in the holiday shopping. Stroh was all smiles as he filled his shopping cart with toys. “This is what it is all about. Giving back to the community and focusing on helping the community,” Stroh said. 

The toys collected Friday will be distributed locally by the Father Fred Foundation, Salvation Army and Goodwill.

Organizers said ‘Shop with Your Hero Day’ is designed to make sure every child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.

“Everyone wins today. To see the smiles on the kids faces as they are buying toys…knowing they are going to a child in need…then seeing the parents faces when they get to choose the toys for their kids…it’s a win-win for everyone,” said Father Fred Foundation Spokeswoman Sue Bauer.