GENEVIEVE REILLY greilly@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2007 11:16:44 PM EST
BRIDGEPORT — The man's hat was red and trimmed in white. He came bearing gifts, but the man and his helpers arrived not by sleigh but aboard a Bridgeport firetruck.
Firefighters Andy Ellis, Tim Bottone and Mark DeCarlo were carrying on a tradition begun in 2003 by fellow firefighter Roberto "Bo" Diaz after he was inspired by his young daughter to organize the holiday donation program.
Firefighters deliver toys and food to families chosen by school and social service officials.
On Friday afternoon, Ladder 5 stopped by the home of Dorothy Rosado, a single mother of three children and one grandchild.
Rosado was unable to greet the Christmas elves — she works two jobs and couldn't get time off — so her sister was there in her stead.
One by one, Ellis handed over the gifts, wrapped in colorful Christmas paper.
"This is for Nathaniel," Ellis said. "This is for Bobby, this is for Brittany and this is for Jay. You guys have a merry Christmas!"
The presents were quickly arrayed under the Christmas tree standing in the corner of the living room.
The firefighters also handed over a box of food that included a turkey, a ham and a couple of pies.
"They'll be so happy," said Wendy Broadbent, Rosado's sister. She and Rosado's roommate, Jennifer Sorgenti, said they couldn't wait to see the kids' reactions.
"They'll be so excited," Sorgenti said.
Reached at work, Rosado agreed that her youngsters would be "shocked" by the unexpected bounty of gifts.
The Rosados are one of 25 families adopted by the Fire Department this year.
"It means a lot to me," Rosado said. "I appreciate everything. I've had a rough year, but everything's worked out pretty good."
For the firefighters, who will be delivering gifts and food through Sunday, the good deed is a way of giving back to the community.
"Every one of us is a father," Ellis said. "It's the Christmas spirit."
And, said Bottone, "We're all just kids at heart we're firefighters, we're kids ourselves."