CAL FIRE/Riverside County firefighters shop with kids

For the past eleven years, local firefighters and donations from the community have helped children enjoy the holidays a bit more through the ‘Shop with a Firefighter’ program.

The annual event gives children in County Protective Services a chance to spend the day with a firefighter which includes shopping for school supplies, clothing and other discretionary needs. The kids are also given a small amount of money to spend on a gift of their choice, according to Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins.

Residents, local businesses and county supervisors helped raise over $30K for the program this season. There were over 100 pre-qualified kids registered for the program that will benefit from the generous donations.

Fire Chief John Hawkins said, “It’s because of the great working relationship between the department, the union and our partnering agencies that this event continues to be successful year after year.”

Funds are raised from September through December for the ‘Shop with a Firefighter’ program, however, benevolent funds are raised year-round to assist firefighters and their families in the event of injury, death in the line-of-duty and other tragedies.

More information on how to donate to firefighters