KFAL The Big 900 Classic Country
A Columbia woman whose daughter was murdered in 2019 helped select the 12 Columbia and Boone County families who participated in the recent “Shop with a hero” event at the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway.
Shaunda Hamilton founded Boone County Community Against Violence after her daughter’s murder. Ms. Hamilton tells 939 the Eagle that the 12 families have suffered trauma from gun violence, domestic violence or suicide, and that it was good to put smiles on their faces for a few hours.
“But also I think it was important for them to shop with a hero because the heroes are the first people on the scenes. And I think a lot of times we do appreciate that, we don’t always show that. But they got a chance to walk with different heroes: police officers, EMT, fire department. And so to get a chance to just kind of talk and kind of get to know each other,” Hamilton says.
Ms. Hamilton’s 18-year-old daughter, Nadria Wright, was shot to death in 2019 after leaving McDonald’s on the Business Loop, where she had picked up a milk shake.
Meantime, a local EMT from Columbia’s MU Health Care describes the recent Shop with a Hero event at the Walmart as a humbling experience. Paige Kovnesky volunteered to participate that evening, along with about 40 other first responders. Ms. Kovnesky, a former Mizzou gymnast, spoke to 939 the Eagle at Walmart.
“We serve our community everyday but we don’t get to really interact with them. Hearing their stories was so humbling and so prideful to just be there and get them the Christmas gifts that they want for whoever they’re buying for was such a cool experience”
The 12 Columbia and Boone County families who were selected have been impacted by gun violence, suicide or domestic violence. Columbia-based First Responder Support (FRS) hosted the event.
