Darien Firefighters, Police Give Kids a Bright Christmas

The holiday season officially arrived Saturday morning for 25 local children.

The partnered with the for their fifth annual Shop with a Hero event. 

Firefighters and police officers took kids from families in need on a shopping spree at so the kids would be able to buy holiday gifts for their moms, dads and anyone else special to them. 

The kids met at the Darien-Woodridge headquarters at 7:30 a.m. before boarding a school bus that would take them to the 75th Street Walmart.

Each child got $150 to spend, said firefighter/paramedic Jay Breitsameter, who organized this year’s event.

“We take a lot of pride in this program,” he said. “It’s great to help out families who need it this time of year.”

Guidance counselors at local schools identified kids whose families could use a little help.

When the kids got back to the firehouse, they enjoyed a hot breakfast prepared by one of the firefighters with food purchased through donations from the fire and police unions. Their partner firefighters and police officers helped them wrap their purchases.

Walmart donated $3,500 toward the shopping trip, while the rest was made up through private donations. Several local businesses, including and , donated door prizes.

“A lot of the children wouldn’t have the opportunity to buy presents if it weren’t for this,” said Fire Chief Dave Lambright. “It’s always humbling when you see people who are less fortunate that get to have a nice Christmas because of the generosity of others.”

Even though kids are allowed — and encouraged — to buy things for themselves, too, Police Chief Ernest Brown said the 11-year-old girl he took shopping wanted to buy only for her family. 

“As adults, we quickly forget the meaning of Christmas,” he said. “Here’s a little girl with $100 she could spend on anything. … This little girl summed it up — thinking of others before thinking of herself.” 

Brown’s wife, Betra, came along to Walmart and said she and Brown tried to convince the girl to at least get a lip-gloss or some other small treat. 

“These are such good-hearted children,” she said.

Firefighter Dan Vaci, who officially starts working for Darien-Woodridge on Thursday, said he was impressed with how prepared the kids were.

The girl he took shopping knew exactly whom she wanted to shop for and what she wanted to get.

“She was awesome,” he said. 

This was Sgt. Greg Cheaure’s second year participating in the event. He said it was a great way to give back to the community while showing kids a different side of police officers and firefighters. 

“It’s a special time of year,” he said. “It’s really for the kids.”