Sparta & Kent City Fire Departments Team Up to Bring Christmas in July
August 17, 2009 by DDA
Filed under News, Sparta TODAY Newspaper
Our local fire fighters visited the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital on Wednesday, July 29 to bring smiles of joy to the faces of children in the Hospital with help from local businesses. Click here to see the short video of the extraordinary acts of kindness from some local volunteering heros.
Christmas in July (provided by www.positivelymichigan.net)
On Wednesday, July 29, Christmas came a little early this year, at least at the DeVos Children’s Hospital, when Santa and a large group of helpers swooped in with games, prizes, and lots of goodies.
Santa’s “helpers” consisted of Sparta Fire Chief Jerry Bolen, Lieutenants Steve Drent and Mary-Ann Meyer, Kent City Fire Chief Mike Rexford; helpers and Ice Cream from the Sparta Tasty Treat; volunteers from the Speedway Gas Station at Jupiter and Plainfield; Stephanie Stanton, Amy Drent, and her great family of volunteers, and oh yeah, Santa Claus!
Several months ago it was discovered that the hospital has several indoor “picnics” during the year with differing themes. The local fire departments wanted to do something for the young patients and when the hospital found out that the Sparta and Kent City Fire Departments had a direct line to Santa himself, they suggested a “Christmas in July” picnic. After involving Amy and 
Stephanie, two ladies with organizational skills that are second next to none, it was pretty much a done deal.
It was a great success and the departments were able to leave the hospital with left over prizes such as note books, coloring books, colored pencils, crayons, and more that they could give out to future child patients.