Harlem-Roscoe Fire District demonstrate the real spirit of Christmas

Fire personnel from the three Harlem Roscoe Fire District stations got to work early Saturday morning, Dec. 18, loading bags and boxes of food, toys and other necessities for families in need this Christmas. Work paused long enough to take a group picture.

The Harlem Roscoe Fire Department is always on call, whether it be for handling fires or emergency medical service. For the past 40 years, members have answered another call: providing food, clothing, toys and necessities for families in the fire protection district during the Christmas holidays.

It’s a big job. The collecting, sorting and delivering starts long before Christmas. Tammy Shoevlin and HRFD firefighter Jen Anderson coordinate the effort, beginning with contacting counselors at area schools.

The counselors reach out to families and give them the opportunity to receive assistance and also make requests for specific needs such as blankets, pillows, coats, etc. All information is confidential.

The next step is to go Christmas shopping. About 30 volunteer shoppers purchase supplies and gifts. “We get calls every year from people that want to volunteer their time to shop and help pack up boxes,” Shoevlin said.

Early Saturday morning, Dec. 18, approximately 40 HRFD personnel began loading the trucks with mounds of bags and boxes and delivered them to 20 families including 75 children.

“Throughout the year, we receive donations from the public that help us purchase clothing, toys and necessities. People are very generous,” Shoevlin said.

The HRFD Fire Protection District is made up of three fire stations: Station 1 in Roscoe, Station 2 in Machesney Park, and Station 3 on Willowbrook Rd.

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Members of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire District filled up fire trucks with gifts and food packages to be delivered to families in need, early Saturday morning, Dec. 18.

Ready to roll! Packages and bags are full and ready for delivery to families in need.

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