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Chicago firefighters deliver toys to children's hospital
The firefighters went shopping for gifts and then visited Saint Anthonys to bring some cheer to the children.
CHICAGO - Some very sick children will have to spend the holidays in the hospital, but help is on the way.
Firefighters and paramedics from Ignite the Spirit, a Chicago charitable organization, delivered toys to St. Anthony Hospital on the city's west side.
Matt Straley and volunteers pulled up in Ambulance 33, which was filled with presents. Straley knows the hospital from experience, from transporting sick or injured children in emergencies. He and several Chicago firefighters took up a collection and shopped for gifts.
"We started our toy drive about 10 years ago and have been delivering to children’s wards ever since," Straley said. "It was a blast going to Target and buying 10 car loads of toys and taking them through the line. We have to call ahead so that they have a designated cashier for us. It’s gonna be a good experience seeing the actual joy of the children."
Dr. Shilpa Singh, head of Pediatrics, added, "We are very grateful to Ignite the Spirit for thinking about us this holiday season. There are a lot of kids sick with RSV and other viruses and they cannot be home with their family during the holiday. So this is going to bring them so much happiness. We serve the underserved. It’s so important to not miss the holiday cheer."
Ignite the Spirit had teams delivering toys at multiple locations around Chicago.