Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
This week, while carrying out their official duties, Aurora firefighters are also helping Santa deliver Christmas toys to around 125 families in the city. It’s a tradition that has grown over the years and continues to bring joy to both the firefighters and the children.
"Back in the day, we used to load up a pickup truck with gifts and go door-to-door," said Captain Dan Osman of the Aurora Fire Department. "Now, we use fire trucks for deliveries — which makes it even more exciting for the kids."
The toy drive started about 20 years ago, according to Osman, who is leading this year’s effort alongside Battalion Chief Mark Robinson. The initiative began after the Fire Department Union Local 99 bought Thanksgiving meals to go along with turkeys distributed by a local company. Inspired by that act of kindness, the firefighters decided to extend the spirit of giving into the holiday season by starting a toy collection.
Over the past few weeks, residents have been dropping off new, unwrapped toys at one of the nine Aurora fire stations. When people come in to donate, firefighters often take them on a tour of the station, including showing them the fire trucks — a special experience for many.
This year, Lt. Jim Rhodes reported that thousands of gifts have been collected across the stations. Each child on the list, which is provided by local schools, will receive between four and five presents. The gifts are wrapped by different groups — whether individual families or community organizations — and then distributed to the respective fire stations. From there, firefighters deliver the gifts to the children living in their areas.
"It's a real team effort," Rhodes said. "Without the support of the community, this program wouldn’t be possible. Seeing the kids’ faces light up when they open their gifts makes everything worth it."
In addition to delivering toys, the Aurora Fire Department once again volunteered as bell ringers for the Salvation Army. On one day in early December, they raised $1,507. Michael Hess, a firefighter who has coordinated the department’s involvement since 2006, shared that it's always a proud moment when families ask to take photos of their kids with the firefighters while they drop money into the kettle.
It’s clear that the Aurora Fire Department isn’t just saving lives — they’re also spreading holiday cheer, one gift at a time.
Thanks, Dan
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