12-22-2023 9:10pm

Harlem-Roscoe Fire makes very special delivery to families in need

Harlem-Roscoe Fire personnel and volunteer fire protection personnel fill waiting fire trucks and ambulances with toys and food for the holiday during the annual food delivery.

Dozens of Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District (HRFPD) personnel got an early start packing, sorting and double-checking gift boxes on Saturday morning, December 16, 2023 at the Roscoe Main Street Fire Station #1.

Boxes wrapped in festive holiday paper were filled with groceries and toys, tagged and set aside for delivery to specific areas around and in Roscoe.

Chief John Bergeron said all families with children in Roscoe schools, Prairie Hill school, Olson, Ralston and Harlem schools are eligible. HRFPD gets referrals of families in need through the schools. Names of families are not identified.

“Everything is donated. The boxes contain everything that is needed for a Christmas dinner,” Bergeron said.

Deliveries were made to 32 families last year. This year, 15 families received boxes - a total of 53 children and 32 adults.

HRFPD holds a food drive every year and monetary donations are accepted as well. Extra canned and packaged food items are donated to the Old Stone Church Food Pantry, 101 East Union Street, Rockton, Illinois.

All the bags and boxes were loaded onto waiting ambulances and fire trucks, ready to begin delivery.

The event was coordinated by Jen Anderson, Chief John Bergeron and Alissa Newbauer.