MT. VERNON (WMIX) – Hundreds of Jefferson County First Responders received Christmas packages Monday for the Annual Christmas for Heroes Program, held this year at Mt. Vernon’s Primary Center.

According to David Keen, 325 first responders received gift boxes this year, which is up from 280 last year due to the addition of Air Evac personnel.

Keen notes that more than 2,000 hand-made Christmas cards were included with the gift boxes. The cards not only include artwork and decorations from children attending all public schools in Jefferson County, but also personal greetings and thanks to area police, deputies, firefighters, and EMTs, as well as Illinois State Police and Secretary of State Police.

Cusumano and Sons again provided the large boxes of produce at a discount for the program.

District 80 Superintendent Ryan Swan says the Primary Center in Mt. Vernon provided refreshments, along with a small program.

Students of the Primary Center were enjoying “Pajama Day” at school, but their Chorus gathered at the program to sing Christmas songs for the first responders.

Swan says every year for the last nine years, school administrators have donated to the Christmas for Heroes Program and then one school hosts the event and provides refreshments and approximately 300 of the hand-made Christmas cards. He notes how grateful everyone is for the sacrifices and contributions first responders make for the community.