Members of the Stamford Fire Department assisted Santa in delivering over 200 present to disadvantaged children in Stamford.

Santa Delivers Gifts to Children on Firetruck

By: Priscilla Lombardi, It’s Relevant
http://stamford.itsrelevant.com/content/21555/Santa-Delivers-Gifts-to-Children-on-Firetruck

It’s not every day you see Santa riding on the back of a fire truck, but for hundreds of children in need in Stamford, Christmas has come several days early.

“We’re taking all these toys to various places in the community,” said Donald Lowndes, firefighter and toy drive organizer. “They were all donated by firefighters and residents and businesses in the community.”

Santa and members of the Stamford Professional Firefighters Association (SPFA) departed on truck from the Drill Field on Magee Avenue on Saturday to deliver hundreds of toys to the Franklin Street Shelter, Salvation Army, the Wilson Food Pantry, pediatric patients at Stamford Hospital, and other children in need.

“We have wrapped presents for just over 200 children and all the presents are being sent to other organizations that will then distribute them throughout the community, so it’s really untold how many children are going to benefit from it,” said Lowndes.

It’s the association’s ninth annual Holiday Toy Drive. The event’s organizer Donald Lowndes says every year firefighters collect almost 5,000 donated gifts from local residents, fellow firefighters, businesses and companies .

“It’s a great time of year for us to give back to the community,” said Lowndes. “To see the kids smile when they get a toy and get to see Santa, it’s really worth all the hard work.”