Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
This week, while handling their regular duties, Aurora firefighters are also helping Santa with a special mission: delivering Christmas toys to around 125 families in the city. It’s a tradition that has become a cherished holiday event for both the firefighters and the children they serve.
“In the past, we used to load the gifts into the back of a pickup truck and go door-to-door,†said Captain Dan Osman of the Aurora Fire Department. “Now, we use fire trucks to deliver the presents, which makes it even more exciting for the kids.â€
The tradition began about 20 years ago, when the department started collecting toys for local families. This year, Captain Osman is leading the effort alongside Battalion Chief Mark Robinson. The program has grown significantly over the years, with hundreds of children receiving gifts each year.
The initiative started after the Fire Department Union Local 99 helped provide Thanksgiving meals to families. Inspired by this act of kindness, the firefighters decided to extend the spirit of giving into the Christmas season by launching a toy drive.
Over the past few weeks, residents have been dropping off new, unwrapped toys at one of the nine fire stations across Aurora. When people come in to donate, firefighters often take them on a tour of the station, including the fire trucks — a unique experience for many.
This year, Lieutenant Jim Rhodes reported that thousands of gifts have been collected at the stations. Each child on the list, which comes from local schools, will receive between four and five presents. These gifts are wrapped by individual families or community groups, and then distributed to the different stations where firefighters make the final deliveries to children in their areas.
“It’s a huge community effort,†Rhodes said. “Without the generosity of the people, this wouldn’t be possible.†He added, “Seeing the kids’ faces light up when they open their gifts is the best part of the whole experience.â€
In addition to the toy deliveries, the Aurora Fire Department once again participated as volunteer bell ringers for the Salvation Army. On one day in early December, the department raised $1,507. Michael Hess, a firefighter who has coordinated the effort since 2006, said it’s always a joy when families ask to take photos of their children with the firefighters while they drop money into the kettle.
It’s clear that the Aurora Fire Department isn’t just serving the community — they’re becoming a vital part of its holiday spirit.
Thanks, Dan
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