By Kiki Serantes
For more than 50 years, local firefighters have brought holiday cheer to Spokane families by dashing through neighborhoods on Santa's sleigh. But Spokane Firefighter Union IAFF Local 29 will lend the sleigh's use in a giving light when five volunteers dash through the snow delivering presents and hot meals to seniors in need this week.
Equipped with a professional Santa Claus and a sleigh attached to a flatbed Chevy, Spokane Firefighter Union IAFF Local 29 is delivering hot meals on Wednesday, Dec. 14 around noon and presents on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11AM. It's the third year in a row that the unit is helping bring holiday cheer to Meals on Wheels Spokane homebound seniors. Dave Kovak, a 19-year Spokane firefighter, joined the unit four years ago. After hearing colleagues' stories, Dave said he's excited to participate in the annual event for the first time. "It's a really neat event, to watch their faces when we come up," Dave said. "They're expecting their usual Meals on Wheels Spokane delivery, but they're not expecting it from Santa. It really makes their day." The presents being delivered are part of MOW Spokane's Tree of Sharing event, where each senior is asked what they want for Christmas months before the holiday. MOW Spokane, which doesn't receive federal funding, surprises the seniors with the gifts they wished for. Having a gift delivered by a normal deliverer is good enough, but having it delivered by Santa Claus himself is something else entirely. "We've been a contributor to Meals on Wheels Spokane for quite a while," Dave said. "We're always looking for events that we can partner with local charities in, to just get out into the community and to be a good community partner." The union also participates in MOW Spokane's annual Cinn-A-Gram fundraiser, where people throughout Spokane and Coeur d'Alene purchase a Cinn-A-Gram stuffed with Cinnabons, Roast House Coffee, Rock Creek Caramels, Dove Chocolate and more! MOW Spokane delivers the treats to the purchaser’s Valentine’s and Spokane Firefighter Union IAFF Local 29 helps by delivering some of the Cinn-A-Grams on various routes. MOW Spokane thanks Spokane Firefighter Union IAFF Local 29 for its continued contributions. If you're interested in volunteering or learning more about this and other MOW Spokane events, please email [email protected] or call (509) 232-0864.
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