Firefighters Help Children Spread Christmas Cheer

Instead of toting hoses, Caledonia firefighters will be toting shopping bags as they help kids shop for Christmas.

In a program that's been ongoing over the past 11 years, the firefighters collect and give donations for children whose families are going through rough times, Caledonia firefighter Wally Leininger said.

One night before Christmas, the firefighters shop with the children, helping them buy for presents for their family, necessities for themselves and, of course, toys for Christmas.

"We do it give a little back to the community," Leininger said. 

With the help of area businesses like Kmart, which provides a discount for the firefighters during the shopping spree, donations of toys or money from other businesses, and money from the firefighters, the firefighters-turned-shoppers are able to spend over $600 on four children and their two families this Christmas.

The families and their children are selected by the health department. Each year, they've been able to help between four and six children, Leininger said.