Firefighters bring joy to children during the holidays

Squeals of joy and fire truck sirens could be heard Friday night at WalMart during Socorro Fire Department’s holiday shopping spree with elementary students.

“The looks on every child’s face was nothing less than perfect as they got to ride in the fire truck and honk the horn and control the siren.” Daniel Pacheco said.

Pacheco, shift captain of the Socorro Fire department said that the shopping spree was another astonishing success, and they were able to take about 65 kids.

The whole staff of firefighters rotated loading up the kids into the fire trucks and escorting them through the store to help them spend their $100 gift cards. Most kids beelined it straight to the toy section and filled their baskets with scooters, stuffed animals, dolls, remote control cars and nerf guns. Some of the kids took their time weighing out their decisions while others knew exactly what they wanted.

“We took five different groups of well deserving children and not a single one was without a smile,” Pacheco said.

“It was so much fun!” Stormi Nuanez said. “My favorite part was seeing all kinds of different firefighters and hang out with others.”

Nuanez is a third grader at Parkview Elementary who was one of the children selected to go on the shopping spree.

She said that she bought paint supplies, a backpack, socks, jackets, and flowers for her grandma’s grave. Nuanez dedicates all her free time to making art and plans to use the art supplies she got that night to make presents for her family.

“My favorite thing to draw is mostly cats, dogs and reindeer, mostly I want to be an artist when I grow up, something that has to do with art.” Nuanez said.

“It was so special to be able to be a part of something that we work so hard to provide for the children, because after all that’s what it’s all about,” Pacheco said “We really appreciate and thank all the families that could attend.”
The Socorro Fire Department raised the money for the shopping spree during 9th annual Matanza at the Socorro Plaza Dec. 9.