By Sarah Gooding
Pittsburg Morning Sun – December 18, 2013
Firefighter Justin Ziesenis and fourth grader Jordan Hess dig through Hotwheels cars.
Captain Bob Guardullo and kindergartner Ayden Houdeshelt talk about which items Houdeshelt might enjoy picking for his gifts from the fire department.
Firefighters in Pittsburg spend a lot of time training to be ready to protect life and property in the community, but also are deeply dedicated to doing charitable work within the area they serve.
Tuesday morning, a group of firefighters met several children at Walmart for a special Christmas shopping trip.
“We’ve been doing this the last 10-12 years,” said Captain Rich Wood, adding that firefighters contribute to a charitable slush fund that allows the department to do outreach into the community.
The department rotates through area schools and this year Lakeside Elementary sent a group of about 10 students to enjoy a small shopping spree.
“We pick a school each year,” Wood said. “The counselors will pick 10-12 kids to take shopping.”
Lakeside’s counselor, Phil Jay, helped coordinate the trip and said the special activity and connections made both are meaningful.
“Certainly they’re excited to get out of school and to make the connection in the community,” Jay said. “Also I think that positive connection with the fire department (helps). Knowing the community supports them as well.”
Firefighters were advised to stay within a certain total price range, but beyond that the options were limitless.
“We just let them get what they want,” Wood said.
Firefighters said the children often exhibit a touching generosity during the shopping trip.
“We always try to tell them to shop for themselves,” said Captain Bob Gardullo. “They want to shop for their families.”
However, it only takes a little encouragement to get children to enjoy putting items in carts.
Firefighter Tom Vacca worked with nine-year-old Salemlyn Smith and had a cart full of Barbie items.
“I don’t get to shop for little girls that often,” he said, but the two had fun looking through aisles full of pink boxes.
Smith said it was exciting to get out of school and to come to the store and shop with Vacca.
Vacca said he drove the students to and from the store and enjoyed the tradition.
“It’s been wonderful,” he said.
Gardullo said he also always enjoys the trip.
“It gives you a gratifying feeling,” he said.
Captain Bryan Main said he also felt like the activity was a teachable moment with students learning how to choose favorite items and stay within a budget – all while enjoying.
“It was good,” he said. “We had a good time.”
As they parted ways, students left their gifts behind, but only for a little while.
Rather than sending gifts with students, firefighters in fire trucks delivered the gifts to their homes that evening.
“Tonight we’ll show back up in the fire truck to deliver the gifts,” Wood said of the plan for Tuesday evening.
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