Firefighters, cops rescue the spirit of Christmas

By Linda Conner Lambeck, Staff Writer
Published: 06:06 p.m., Thursday, December 24, 2009

BRIDGEPORT -- Twins Khadijah and Khalisa Ford, 15, didn't expect Santa to come knocking on the back door of their second-story Madison Avenue walk-up at suppertime earlier this week. They also didn't expect him and his helpers to be dressed as firefighters, bearing gifts and the makings of a Christmas feast.

"Oooh! Thanks guys," said Khadijah, pulling the wrapping off a package with her name on it. Inside was perfume and a Walmart gift card.

There were also presents for the twins' nearly 2-year-old nephew, Robert.

"How nice," added Khalisa. "Thank you."

"We also have a big Christmas meal for you guys," said fire Lt. Matt Deysenroth, who made the delivery along with Pumper Engineer John Ehnot and Firefighters Venus Scudder and Mike Kaczegowicz.

Out front sat Engine 3, which has been traversing the icy streets of the neighborhood each night this week. So have other fire companies in all other parts of the city.

By Christmas Day, the fire department expected to play Santa to 39 families this holiday season, up from the 25 families helped last year.

Firefighter Terry O'Connell, of Engine Co. 12, who this year helped coordinate the holiday gift deliveries, said the bad economy has played a factor in the growing need. But the need has been matched by donations from many local businesses, Local 834, the Hispanic Firefighters Association and a toy collection organized by the Sound Tigers. In addition, Plaza Beef on Harral Avenue donated hams, turkeys, milk, pies and other groceries.

Working with school officials, the fire department was given the names of a family in need from each school in the city. They collect the ages, names and genders of the family members to make sure gifts are appropriate and have a personal touch.

One gift recipient this year even got a brand-new bed so she no longer has to sleep on the floor.

"It's great to give something back to people in the community," said O'Connell.

The special deliveries started seven years ago, when then-Firefighter Roberto "Bo" Diaz was challenged by his daughter Hailey and her Brownie troop to help less fortunate families enjoy the holidays. That year, they helped eight families.

Ehnot, who is in his fifth year of making deliveries, said one visit that sticks in his mind was to an apartment that was the home of a 4-year-old girl, about the age of his own daughter.

"The place was spotless, but there was nothing on the table. No presents under the tree. We delivered a box of food and the little girl invited us to come back for Christmas dinner the next day. I said, `We can't. We have our own families to be with.' She says, `Bring them, too.'

The same holiday spirit of generosity was shown by Fairfield police officers.

Earlier this week, in what has become an annual tradition, the officers dropped off gifts for children at Bridgeport Hospital. With help from the William B. Meyer moving company, the officers, led by Sgt. Ed Kovac, delivered nearly 40 large bags of toys -- containing about 15 to 20 presents each -- to the hospital's newborn intensive-care unit and pediatrics department.

Fairfield police noticed a decrease in the number of donations received for the gifts program this year. "It's actually down from what we normally get," said Detective Peter Bravo. "Usually we get double that."

Bravo said the economy probably factored into the lower number of donations, but he noted that the Police Department's annual road race was canceled Sunday and participants in the event usually provide hundreds of toys for the drive.

The department's annual charitable project started 12 years ago, when Bravo decided to collect money for the hospital's newborn ICU. "I have a daughter who was in the newborn (ICU) and they took such good care of us," Bravo said, "so when we got out I wanted to do something for them."

Bravo began by collecting money for the ICU, and over the years Fairfield police began to collect toys and money for both the newborn ICU and pediatrics.

Bravo said even after the gifts distribution, the department has continued to receive presents. Those gifts will be donated to other organizations that organize toy drives, such as Action for Bridgeport Community Development.

Staff writer Keila Torres contributed to this report.