Brandon Twp.- The Brandon Fire Department warmed some hearts with sweet treats Dec. 12.
After assembling 80 fruit baskets, Brandon firefighters delivered them to area group homes, carrying on a more than 20-year tradition.
‘The residents are very happy, I even had one approach me at McDonald’s on Sunday and thank me,? said Firefighter/EMT Paul Vassall.
Firefighters, as well as BFD administrative assistant Kay Caryl, all chipped in money to purchase 160 bananas, 80 oranges, 80 apples, 160 tangerines and 80 candy canes with which to fill the baskets and then delivered them to 80 individuals that reside in nine area adult foster care homes.
Kim Bishop, owner of Mindset Management, which has two group homes in the township, said residents were thankful.
‘They look forward to it every single year,? she said. ‘Fruit is outrageously expensive. They’re very appreciative.?
The firefighters answered another good-will call earlier this month. On Dec. 10, during ‘Shop with a Hero? they used $150 they raised to sponsor a child’s shopping trip at Meijer in Oxford. This was in addition to three other children from Brandon Township that were able to shop with heroes courtesy of Meijer, and dozens more children in need from other areas that the store also invited in to purchase toys and gifts for themselves and their families.
‘Each family also got a food basket to take home for Christmas and there was a little meal for the kids of mac and cheese and chicken fingers and then we went shopping,? said Vassall. ‘There was a lot of Star Wars stuff, because that is the big ticket. They were into that. I love how the kids enjoy it and the parents are very appreciative.?