Santa, Firefighters Visit Needy Families

By JENNA RHUDE

Moapa Valley Progress

The local volunteers from Moapa Valley Fire District (MVFD) gathered at Logandale Station #73 on Saturday, December 22. But it wasn’t an emergency distress call they were responding to this time. Rather, they were there to help provide a happy Christmas for two local families.

“Our members volunteer because they want to serve and give back to the community,” said Overton Fire Chief Stephen Neel. “This holiday season was no different. We saw the need and wanted to give Christmas to a few families who were in need.”

Excitement built among the volunteers as the gifts were wrapped at the station in preparation for the visits. Then Santa himself made his appearance at the station.

Santa hopped aboard one of the fire engines and the MVFD caravan moved out. With red and blue lights flashing all along the way, the caravan made its way to the first home in Logandale.

It was a surprise to the residents of that home. With shouts of delight, the children gathered around Santa as the rest of the volunteers unloaded stockings and presents for the family. Each child had the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap.

The group said goodbye and continued, with lights flashing, to their next stop: this time a home in Moapa. Excitement was felt here as well. The youngest child was overjoyed to see Santa.

The volunteers sang “Happy Birthday” since December was also a month of birthdays for this family.
“You don’t understand how much this means to these families until you talk to them,” said Neel. “I called one mother to discuss what we wanted to do and she was so overwhelmed with emotion, she had to revert to texting. Seeing the pure joy on their faces as we delivered the presents made it all worth it.”
Neel said that he had gone shopping for the two families with his son right after his birthday. “He said the best part of his birthday was going shopping for these families,” Neel said.