Local Firefighters “Make A Child Smile” for 20th Year

On Thursday, Dec. 17, 50 students from the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) were escorted from Fire Station 211 by Colton firefighters to the local Wal-Mart. The students arrived by bus surrounded by the blare and lights of fire-trucks. Their arrival marked the beginnings of a holiday tradition. For 20 years the Colton Fire Department has worked with the CJUSD, alternating between eight schools, to take 50 deserving children each on a $100 shopping spree in Wal-Mart during the holiday season. “This is one of my favorite events every year. It shows what a special place Colton is and what big hearts our fire department has. They are just amazing and it really brings us together,” said CJUSD Communications Manager, Katie Orloff. Firefighter Paramedic Steve Sands has coordinated the event for the past two years. “I really enjoy it, but it has been going on for a long time. It was started by one of our members who had gotten the idea from another department. He wanted to do a charitable event and it has been going on ever since." Over the past 20 years, with the help from local sponsors, the fire department has raised over $100,000 and served over 1,000 children. “It is amazing that we are able to generate all of the funds from people wanting to give,” Sands said. After the students arrived, they are lined up and paired with a firefighter or community member to shop. However, before any shopping begins, the students have an opportunity to take a photo with Santa and grab a snack. This was the first time Jacquie Paul, CJUSD Communications Specialist, attended the event. “I am fairly new to Colton and this just exemplifies what I think about the community. The spirit of giving and the spirit that we are all in this together, to ensure that our students have everything they need to succeed and to be happy. I am just excited to be here,” Paul said. Ret. firefighter Roger Entwistle has been participating nearly every year since the inception of the "Make A Child Smile" program. Entwistle shopped with a young student Eric, for the day. After learning that Eric had come to school without a coat, Entwistle was touched. "My heart went out to him. When you find a child in need, we open our hearts and our wallets. Christmas is for the children, it is a time to show your love to them." In addition to the toys purchased with the allotted money, Entwistle purchased clothes, a bike, and a helmet for Eric after watching him pick out gifts for his brother and shopping for clothes. "When a child asks for clothes that tells you something about the child and touches your heart," Entwistle said. For Entwistle the holiday season and traditions such as this remind him of his blessings. "Now that I am retired I feel blessed to do that for children. I am the lucky one." Sands sees the benefits first hand that the event gives to the community. “We get a large influx of people from our department, other departments, off duty guys, retirees, and community members. It is all of ours favorite thing, because these kids are truly the ones in need. They are hand selected by their teachers. As you go around shopping with them, you get to hear their stories and it really warms your heart to know that we are really helping them have a good time,” Sands said.