Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
This week, while juggling their official duties, Aurora firefighters are also helping Santa with a special mission—delivering Christmas toys to around 125 families in the city.
"Back in the day, we used to load up the presents in the back of a pickup truck and go from house to house," said Captain Dan Osman of the Aurora Fire Department. "Now, we use fire trucks for the deliveries, which makes it even more exciting for the kids."
The tradition started about 20 years ago when the Aurora Fire Department began collecting toys for local families. This year, Capt. Osman is leading the effort alongside Battalion Chief Mark Robinson.
The initiative was born after the Fire Department Union Local 99 helped provide Thanksgiving meals alongside turkeys donated by a local company. Inspired by that act of kindness, the firefighters decided to extend the spirit into the holiday season by starting a toy drive.
Over the past few weeks, residents have been dropping off new, unwrapped toys at one of the nine fire stations. When people bring donations, firefighters often take the time to give them a tour of the station, including the fire trucks.
This year, Lt. Jim Rhodes shared that "thousands of gifts" have been collected across the city. Each child on the list, which is provided by local schools, will receive four or five presents.
The gifts are wrapped by different groups—some by individual families, others by community organizations. Once wrapped, they’re distributed to the various fire stations, where firefighters deliver the gifts to children in their respective neighborhoods.
"It’s a huge community effort," Rhodes said. "Without the support of the people, this program wouldn’t be possible."
He added, "Seeing the kids’ faces light up with joy is the best part of the whole experience."
In addition to delivering toys, the Aurora Fire Department once again volunteered as bell ringers for the Salvation Army. On one particular day in early December, they raised $1,507. Michael Hess, a firefighter who has coordinated the department’s participation since 2006, said it’s always a proud moment when families ask to take photos of their children with the firefighters while they drop money into the kettle.
Thanks, Dan
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