by Breeanna Jent on 2014-12-30
Escorted by Colton Fire Department fire trucks, lights and sirens blaring, 50 Colton Joint Unified School District elementary students arrived by bus to Wal-Mart on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Colton on Dec. 12 to partake in a holiday tradition 19 years in the making.
"This is a really wonderful event that we all look forward to every year," said Katie Orloff, a spokesperson for the school district.
The Colton Fire Department heads the annual event which provides $100 each to students who are taken on a holiday shopping spree in December. The fire department fundraises and gathers volunteers who include firefighters, Colton city leaders and community members to take the children shopping at the Wal-Mart in Colton.
Each year the fire department sponsors children who alternate from each of the school district's eight elementary schools, which serves students living in Colton and Grand Terrace.
"Over the past 19 years, with the help from local sponsors, we...have raised over $80,000 and helped over 800 children," stated a release issued by the Colton Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Tom De Bellis.
Beginning at 8:50 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 12, the students were transported via school bus to Colton Fire Station 211, where firefighters then led the caravan of buses to the Wal-Mart, with the help of Colton police who blocked the streets.
Santa Claus and city officials led the way into the parking lot and children were each escorted by a firefighter around Wal-Mart.
Following the shopping spree, each student enjoyed a lunch provided by McDonalds.
Though it rained outside, the parade was still on.
"The kids had a good shopping experience," said Capt. De Bellis. "We had a lot of our retirees who showed up again this year to volunteer and help out. It always kind of makes Christmas when you can help these young kids out."
[END]
“MAKE A CHILD SMILE 2014”
This Christmas will mark our 19th anniversary.
EVENT DATE: Friday, December 12th 9:00am
The Colton Fire Department, Colton Unified School District, and the Colton Wal-Mart are helping to make this Christmas one to remember. The Colton Firefighters are sponsoring 50 needy children this year so each can have a $100.00 shopping spree at our local Wal-Mart. This will be the 19th year we have been doing this event, alternating between the eight elementary schools within the Colton school district each year. Over the past 19 years, with the help from local sponsors, we will have raised over $80,000.00 and helped over 800 children. This event is truly something special.
All of the children will be transported via school bus, to Fire Station 211 at approximately 8:50 am. We will then caravan the fire engines, and the school buses, with lights and sirens, down Mt. Vernon Avenue with help from the Colton Police Department blocking the streets. Santa Claus and some of our City officials will be leading the way into the parking lot of Wal-Mart at 1120 S. Mt Vernon. We will wait for the children to exit their school buses and each child will be escorted by a firefighter around the store. Each child will have $100.00 to spend on whatever they want. McDonalds will be providing lunch to every student following the shopping spree. We would be honored to have you come out and be part of this event. The Fire Department thanks you very much for your support and continued dedication to local news in the Inland Empire.
For further information contact:
Tom De Bellis
Captain/Paramedic- Dept. P.I.O.
Station 909-370-5100 Cell- 909-936-4888