EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Columbia County firefighters took children from the closed Dream Academy on a Christmas shopping spree Friday, providing a reunion for kids and teachers who haven’t seen each other since the after-school program shut down in June due to federal funding delays.

Each child received $250 to spend at the Evans Walmart, funded by the fire department’s boot drive collections.

“Today we’re going shopping with a firefighter and as you can see... firefighter right here,” said Khalil Miller, a Dream Academy student, as he walked through the store with firefighter Roy Wright.

Wright, a 25-year veteran with Columbia County Fire, said the shopping trip represents where some of the department’s fundraising efforts go.

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