GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – It was a fun, yet emotional morning as Green Bay Metro firefighters made a number of special stops at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital on Tuesday. It was their way of getting the children ready for Santa’s visit next week.
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and not a creature was stirring, not even a nurse. Or something like that. Green Bay firefighters donned their helmets and the proper gowns as they delivered presents to pediatric patients.
“It’s just such a cool experience because they’re just so overjoyed to see us. and to be part of that is a gift itself,” says Lieutenant Shauna Walesh, “just trying to spread some christmas joy and make them forget they’re in the hospital during this hard time of year.”
Emotions ran high for the families we met. Once firefighters entered the room, the kids like Carlos lit up with excitement.
“It shows there are people who do care, and you see a lot of people that do that. It’s cool,” Carlos tells WTAQ News.
He got a NERF gun and Monopoly board game. Carlos thinks he can beat his dad, Marco, in any game.
But Marco, like the other parents, showed a bit of a different emotional reaction while fighting back a few tears. He tells us he’s thankful for the firefighters and for the hospital workers taking time to put something like this together.
“Donating to the children’s hospital is one of the best things that could happen, so when I can, I donate myself. Because in situations like this, it comes back around,” Marco tells WTAQ News.
Another mother, Katty, tells us that her family is fairly new to the area after moving from Anchorage. Her daughter’s illness is never something she imagined happening. But she says Tuesday was a nice change of pace.
“Having the firefighters come in to visit my daughter was wonderful. I really appreciate that they did this for her and it’s a great memory she’s never going to forget,” Katty says.
As part of the program, Central Church in Green Bay hung ornaments on a tree acting as wish lists for children. Firefighters and members of church then bought and donated the gifts.
