In a delightful twist on tradition, Santa Claus swapped his iconic sleigh for a vintage 1950 Seagrave fire truck to distribute gifts to children throughout the Las Vegas valley this winter.
Accompanying him were volunteers from the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) Fire & Rescue (F&R) Benevolent Association. Together, they participated in the Southern Nevada Burn Foundation’s annual “Fill the Fire Truck” toy drive and giveaway.
Doug Rierson, NNSS EMS/Hazardous Materials Division Chief and president of the NNSS F&R Benevolent Association, remarked, “It’s been an honor and one of our greatest joys to be part of this toy drive for the past 15 years.”
This season, the Burn Foundation managed to gather and distribute over 36,000 toys. NNSS F&R made significant contributions by organizing collection drives at various Walmart locations and coordinating toy collections across the NNSS. The efforts resulted in a record-breaking number of donations, including 60 bicycles and enough toys to fill numerous large boxes and a 50-gallon drum.
Throughout the holiday period, NNSS F&R delivered gifts such as stuffed animals, bikes, and toys to 70 non-profit organizations and churches, 11 public schools, and several underserved neighborhoods in Clark County.
Collaborating with local community and government leaders, the Burn Foundation aims to reach as many children as possible each year.
Joshua Howard, an NNSS paramedic, shared his experience, saying, “For me, there’s a great sense of giving back to the community I grew up in. Being able to come back and do things like this for these kids, it’s very heartwarming.”
Besides the toy drive, the Burn Foundation successfully raised over $61,000 to aid local families affected by fire incidents.
Rierson expressed gratitude, saying, “A heartfelt thank you to the incredible donors, tireless volunteers and dedicated partners who turned an ambitious goal into reality.” He also noted the anticipation at the NNSS for next year’s toy drive, as they aim to surpass this year’s achievements for the benefit of the children.
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