This winter, Santa traded in his red sleigh for a red 1950 Seagrave fire truck to deliver gifts to thousands of children across the Las Vegas valley.
Santa’s helpers from the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) Fire & Rescue (F&R) Benevolent Association joined him on the vintage fire engine as part of the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation’s annual “Fill the Fire Truck” toy drive and giveaway.
“It’s been an honor and one of our greatest joys to be part of this toy drive for the past 15 years,” said NNSS EMS/Hazardous Materials Division Chief Doug Rierson. Rierson also serves as president of the NNSS F&R Benevolent Association.
This year, the Burn Foundation collected and distributed more than 36,000 toys! NNSS F&R played a big role in that, staffing collection drives at local Walmart stores and coordinating toy collections across the NNSS. With the help of fellow employees, NNSS F&R brought in a record number of donations this year, including 60 bikes and enough toys to fill dozens of large boxes and a 50-gallon drum.
During the holidays, NNSS F&R visited 70 non-profit organizations and churches, 11 public schools and several underserved neighborhoods in Clark County to hand out stuffed animals, bikes, toys and more.
The Burn Foundation works with local community and government leaders to reach as many children as possible each year.
“For me, there’s a great sense of giving back to the community I grew up in,” said NNSS paramedic Joshua Howard. “Being able to come back and do things like this for these kids, it’s very heartwarming.”
In addition to the toy drive, the Burn Foundation raised more than $61,000 which will support local families that are victims of fire.
“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible donors, tireless volunteers and dedicated partners who turned an ambitious goal into reality,” said Rierson. “There’s already excitement at the NNSS for next year’s toy drive as many of us are determined to continue raising the bar for these kids!”
