Dec. 6, 2007
Red and Blue Santas slay holiday gloom
By Councilmember Matt Orlando
Jason White, a seasoned veteran of the Chandler Fire Department, had witnessed a lot of tragedy, pain and suffering in his 10-year City career of fighting fires and responding to medical emergencies. But the response he received from the little girl when asked what she wanted for Christmas floored him. Living is stark conditions and spending her nights sleeping on the floor, the girl told the fire captain that all she wanted was a pillow.
It was one of those moments that validated the hours of hard work Jason puts in each year in coordinating Chandler’s Adopt-A-Family program. Jason leads a team of fellow firefighters in identifying families in need, interviewing them, and collecting and distributing items to make their holiday a special one.
A firefighter from each of Chandler’s 10 stations takes the lead in finding a family to adopt. The Chandler Unified School District and local United Way help find the families, but often times, the fire crews themselves find people in need through their normal course of duty. If there are more families than the Fire Department can accommodate, employees from other City departments fill the void. Local Girl Scout troops help the firefighters wrap the gifts. It’s a wonderful program and it was great to be able to sit down with Jason recently as we taped a Chandler in Focus program for Chandler’s Cable Channel 11.
Also on the show was someone many in the Valley recognize for his decades of work on local radio, W. Steven Martin. A Chandler resident, W. Steven has been coordinating a toy drive with the help of local public safety agencies including Chandler’s. This year, his program will deliver its two millionth toy to a deserving child somewhere in the Valley. The drive began 20 years ago when he began soliciting donations on the air. When the wife of a fallen Tempe police officer got involved, he decided this was a perfect avenue for the Valley’s law enforcement personnel to come together each holiday season. Chandler’s Police Department has been a leading agency in the cause for many years. Regionally, as many as 500 volunteers help each year.
These are two examples of how Chandler City employees donate their time and resources each year to make what can be a difficult time for some, a little easier. Of course, residents can get involved with these efforts as well. Each December the Fire Department holds a toy drive at the Chandler Fashion Center mall. While this year’s event has passed, people can still drop off unwrapped toys at any of the City’s fire stations. To donate to the annual Toy Run, simply visit www.policetoydrive.com, or call 480-899-0366. Businesses can get involved by holding holiday events that encourage toy donations. A volunteer Santa (Police Santas dress in blue suits, Fire Santas in red) will even be made available to pick up the toys during the event. This year’s Toy Run is dedicated to Shevy Wright, the brave young boy who earlier this year was adopted by the Chandler Police Department and made an honorary officer. Sadly, he lost his fight to cancer just a few weeks ago. But through the Toy Run, his spirit and courage are being recognized Valleywide.
No one should have to wish for basic needs like a pillow to sleep on. We have many social service agencies in Chandler who seemingly make miracles come true this time of year. Please do what you can to help out. I know that the Chandler community is a generous one. And the work of our employees is mirrored by the generosity of residents across the City. That is one of the reasons I am so proud to be a part of this community. Here’s wishing you all a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.
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