BONDUEL, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With a little more than a week to go until Christmas, the Bonduel community and first responders are spreading a little holiday joy ahead of Christmas.
The Bonduel Area Fire Department, and local coffee shop, The Mill, Bonduel, teamed up for “A Miracle on Mill Street.”
“To put smiles on the kids faces, put smiles on our firefighters faces. You know, it’s that time of the year that we want to make sure that everybody’s excited about the year,” said Bonduel Fire Chief, Kevin Lynch.
Sunday, the Fire Department was going door-to-door, bringing gifts to children throughout the village.
Families are appreciative of what it means for their kids.
“It certainly extends the joy and the magic of the holiday season for us and our family,” said Nina Rouse.
While the fire department enjoys spreading holiday cheer, the chief hopes “A Miracle on Mill Street” can also introduce children to the profession of fire fighting.
“We look at it as a way to get them to also potentially, think about, you know, coming and enjoying the fire service when they get older so they can do the same thing,” said Lynch.
The event has seen growth, as gifts for about 110 children were provided this year.
Last year, there were roughly 40 children involved.
Sisters Claire and Cameri Gehm helped plan the effort.
“At some point in your life, you have to pay it back to your community,” said Claire Gehm.
“Also, just to be involved in the community too, is super important, especially when we’ve lived here our whole lives,” added Cameri Gehm.
What stood out to them the most, was just how much the rest of the community came together to help donate gifts — and their wrapping skills.
“Just seeing everybody willing to help and donate their time and, it was, it was eye opening, like there are so many people who do want to help,” said Claire Gehm.
Organizers say they hope to grow next year’s event to include other communities surrounding Bonduel.
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