Emergency services and sheriff’s officials say donations collected by Fred’s Hometown Discount Store from shoppers will help a variety of community initiatives.

“We’ll use ours for our community program,” said Lt. Col. Greg Rowan with the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office.

Lanier Swafford, chief of emergency services said the much appreciated funds will benefit a number of programs currently underway in the department.

Each year since 2002, Fred’s Hometown Discount Stores have commemorated the fallen heroes of 9/11 through a fundraiser for the emergency teams in the store’s locations by asking shoppers to purchase “Hero Hats” cards for $1.

Shoppers may sign personal messages on the Hero Hats, which are hung on store window fronts.

Since the promotion began, Fred’s has raised and donated more than $1.6 million to local emergency responders nationwide.

“This is our way each year of saying thank you to the men and women who put their lives at risk every day to protect our lives and property,” said Ursula Roman, a representative from Fred’s.