WIFR.com in Rockford has a video and article:
A dozen families now have presents under the tree and food on the table this Christmas, thanks to the Rockford Fire Department. From saving lives to saving Christmas, Rockford firefighters are making sure Santa arrives at every home this holiday, including Shante Wilson’s.
“When I saw all of the fire department come up with all of the gifts in their hands, I wanted to cry but I didn’t want to see my son cry because I didn’t want him to think of sadness when it was really tears of joy,” Wilson says.
Tears of joy, coming from the mother of two year old JR. The family just received presents and a bin full of food from Station One on Rockford’s west side.
“It goes hand in hand with what we do every day, we are always out there on the street, we are a busy department so it’s nice to go out there and see people who we see in the time of need, in a joyful event.”
The department raised more than $9,000 for a dozen local families. While JR is opening his present today, Wilson is surprised to see her name on some of the packages.
The fire department says the gesture comes easy as they do what they do best, respond to those in need.
“Just to see my son open up all his gifts, that’s going to be, that’s going to be the light of my life.”
