Just Call Them Angels: Firefighters Respond In A Big Way To Make Christmas Special For Local Kids
December 25, 2019
Call them first responders.. Call them firefighters. Or just call them Christmas angels.
Christmas was fast approaching, but there were still multiple children in need on the My Father’s Vineyard church Angel Tree. It began to look like they might not get the help with the Christmas presents they needed.
But Escambia County firefighters stepped up in a big way to help those local children this Christmas, including an extra special delivery for a family that lost everything in a Cantonment house fire.
NorthEscambia.com photographer Kristi Price worked her magic behind the scenes to help it all come together.
One by one the firefighters came to help. The volunteers and career firefighters from the Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Brent and West Pensacola fire stations reached deep into their own pockets to purchase gifts or make a donation. The Escambia County Professional Firefighters Local 4131 was also quick to help, donating hundreds of dollars for the Christmas cause.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Emerald Coast Dragway held a two-day toy drive last weekend, even though their races were rained out. The race collected enough toys to sponsor multiple children.
Other individuals chipped in to complete the Angel Tree sponsorships.
The firefighters also came together to make Christmas a little extra special for a family that lost everything in a house fire October 27 just two blocks behind the Cantonment Fire Station. The family of four escaped uninjured, but needed some extra help at Christmas time.
The firefighters got in touch with Santa, and gave him a ride to the family’s current home this past Monday night. They came bearing the gifts donated by the firefighters for the two children (and yes, there was even a stuffed dalmatian in true firefighter style). The firefighter’s union also donated $500 to help the family.
Many of the gifts were reserved to open Christmas morning, including shiny new bicycles.
Monday night was one child’s birthday, so Santa even brought a birthday cake donated by Publix at University Town Center.
The Cantonment fire crew that visited the family Monday night was the same crew that responded as the family crawled out of windows to escape the burning home. And that did not go unnoticed by one of the children.
“You are one of the ones that helped save our life last time, right?”, the child asked one of the firefighters.
“Yes,” he said.
You can call them first responders. Or firefighters. Or just call them angels.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
A Christmas Miracle: The Miracle League’s Annual Christmas Party
December 25, 2019
Santa visited with Miracle League players at their recent Christmas party at Tate High School.
Numerous Tate High student organizations and volunteers came together to put on the party, including the Student Council, Beta Club, American Sign Language Club, Early Childhood Education, Diamond Girls, Drama Department, Yearbook and Community Care Givers.
The Miracle League players were able to visit Santa, enjoy dinner, watch a special performance of The Polar Express, take part in numerous activities including a snowball fight and sing Christmas carols in American Sign Language.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below:: Miracle League players visit with Santa Claus during the league’s annual Christmas party at Tate High School. Pictured bottom: A party goer signs “I love you” when Santa Claus arrived. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Church Gives To The Community With Toys, Christmas Hams
December 25, 2019
Pastor Toy Arnez and the congregation of St. Luke Missionary Baptist in Century provided toys and hams to the community on Christmas Eve. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Makes Last Minute Visits Tuesday To Century And Flomaton
December 25, 2019
Santa made several last minute stops across the North Escambia area Tuesday morning, including Century and Flomaton.
In Century, Santa made a long loop on Escambia Fire Rescue’s “Ladder 5″ truck, visiting with boys and girls across Century, Poplar Dell and Byrneville.
Santa also made a quick run through Flomaton, escorted by the Flomaton Police Department, Flomaton Fire Department and MedStar EMS.
Pictured above and below: Santa rides Ladder 5 through Century Tuesday morning. Pictured bottom: Santa also paid a visit to Flomaton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Employees Give The Gift Of Christmas To Local Families
December 25, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union made Christmas a little brighter for 113 local families, helping Santa Claus to fulfill the families’ wish lists through its employee-driven Adopt-A-Family program. Recipient families were identified in partnership with teachers across Escambia and Santa Rosa County School Districts.
For Tina Taylor, a grandmother and primary guardian to her seven grandchildren, her biggest wish was enough chairs so her family “can all eat together at the table.”
Navy Federal employees loaded up a big truck to make their rounds of gift deliveries. As Taylor opened the door, all of her grandchildren ran out with huge smiles as they saw bikes being rolled into the front yard and they rushed to help unload dozens of wrapped gifts to be placed under their tree.
The biggest smile of all came from Taylor as she saw her only Christmas wish come true, watching Santa Claus and his elves unload enough chairs for her entire family to gather around the table together.
“This is more than I could have ever imagined,” said Taylor. “I’ve never seen the kids this happy. I just want us all to be able to eat together and now we can do that. I can’t thank them enough.” The feelings of joy and happiness were certainly mutual for the Navy Federal employees.
“Our team members look forward to the Adopt-A-Family program every year,” said Navy Federal spokesperson Brandi Gomez. “As soon as the family wish lists go on the tree at work, they are all taken within a few hours.”
“As special as it is for the families receiving gifts, it’s just as special for our team members,” said Gomez. “They spend weeks getting together to pick out items and spend their own money to go shopping for the gifts. We all just feel blessed to be able to be a part of this and get the opportunity to help families in our community.”
In addition to the Adopt-A-Family program, Navy Federal employees at the Greater Pensacola Operations campus gave back this holiday season through gathering more than 1,800 toys, including bikes and scooters, and donating $1,500 to the local Toys for Tots program in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits NAS Pensacola
December 25, 2019
Santa Claus visited NAS Pensacola and Corry Station Tuesday. With the help of the NAS Pensacola Fire Department, he brought stockings to children, and Bobby the dog elf even gave treats to good dogs along the way. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Teams With NORAD To Track Santa Live
December 24, 2019
NorthEscambia.com is teaming up with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track the progress of Santa Claus around the world.
Merry Christmas from NorthEscambia.com to you and your entire family!
Century Man Jailed After Getting Upset About Firemen Blocking Road While Working To Save Wreck Victim
December 24, 2019
A 70-year Century old man was apparently upset that first responders had blocked the road to extricate an accident victim from his vehicle.
James Wendall Gandy was charged obstruction of justice without violence after the incident Sunday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue was working to free a critically injured wreck victim from his truck on Highway 4A west of Century. Gandy approached the scene and began screaming at deputies to “move the [expletive] vehicles out of the road” so he could get to his house located a few yards away, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Deputies told him several times to return to his vehicle, but Gandy continued to curse at them and refused to return to his vehicle, the arrest report states. He turned toward a deputy in an aggressive manner “as if he was going to punch him” before deputies physically escorted him from the scene to a patrol vehicle.
As deputies attempted to handcuff Gandy, he began to actively pull away and at one point tried to kick a deputy, the ECSO said.
The deputy noted in his report that Gandy appeared to be intoxicated and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
Gandy remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $500.
Camp Fire Kids Share Christmas Joy With Century Nursing Home Residents
December 24, 2019
The Camp Fire Century VPK class recently visited the residents of the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to share Christmas joy. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Lane Closures On Florida’s State Roads For The Holidays
December 24, 2019
For the holiday season, there will be no lane closures on state roads These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. NorthEscambia.com file photo.