TENNERTON – Buckhannon’s Shoe Sensation invites the community to meet local firefighters and members of the U.S. Army National Guard during two events in September.

Shoe Sensation store manager Genevia Jenkins said the store is bringing back an event that encourages the community to engage with local fire departments and receive a coupon at their store for the day.

“This will be the second time we’ve had this event; we had it last year, and it’s our celebration of first responders,” Jenkins said. “It’s Saturday, Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and as you know, the fire departments have had challenges getting a lot of volunteers to build up their response crews and stuff, so we thought it would be a great opportunity for them to be able to possibly recruit and be out in the community.”

The Buckhannon Shoe Sensation will offer a 20 percent off coupon on one item for the entire day.

“One of the reasons we do it is to celebrate all the first responders; it’s just a little way of saying thank you and giving back to the community,” Jenkins said. “For anyone that comes to the store, they will receive 20 percent off one item.”

Some of the fire departments will have representatives and fire trucks present during the event, so the community can ask questions and children can see the fire trucks and fire engines up close.

“We have wonderful first responders in this town. We’re all very fortunate we have such good first responder teams, so this gives us an opportunity to thank them for their work,” she said.

A similar event will take place Saturday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Shoe Sensation’s Military Appreciation Day.

“We have the National Guard coming up, bringing some heavy artillery for display, so that’ll be a lot of fun because the kids will be able to get to see that and there’ll be some National Guard members here,” Jenkins said. “It is an opportunity for them to get out into the community and let everybody know they’re here and what they’re about,” Jenkins said.

This will be the first time Buckhannon’s Shoe Sensation has collaborated with the National Guard.

“We do have the Socks for Troops that starts Nov. 1, so I believe we’re partnering with the VFW this year and we’re going to be having a little celebration to start off the Socks for Troops fun,” Jenkins said. “Last year, we donated 2,300 pairs of socks to the VA hospital and the long-term care facility there for the VA.”