Firefighters for Santa served more than 60 families

Several members of the Three Rivers Fire Department had the opportunity to play Santa during Tuesday’s eighth annual Firefighters For Santa event.
Josh Griffin, a fireman/paramedic, said about three months of planning culminated with the delivery of toys to more than 60 families in Three Rivers, and Lockport and Fabius townships.
An additional 30 children benefited from the event through an “Adopt-A-Family” opportunity.
Started in 2007 by deputy chief Jeff Bloomfield, Firefighters For Santa was able to help 20 area families in its inaugural year. The program has established a partnership with Three Rivers Community Schools and Three Rivers Area Mentoring to focus on families in need of a little help getting toys for their children this Christmas.
Griffin said thanks to monetary donations from sponsors and the general public, and a significant boost from the Three Rivers Meijer, more than 1,500 toys were given away during this year’s event.