Annual Adopt A Drive Family

On Saturday, December 20th, members of the South Fire District IAFF Local 3918, Westfield Fire Dept, Middletown High School Band & Choral Club, and Middletown Police, Connecticut Valley Police and members of the Middletown Elks Lodge #771 conducted their Annual “Adopt A Family” program. Program was kicked off by a visit from Mayor Dan Drew. Orchestrated by this year’s South Fire District Chairman Lt. Ryan Parmelee, the program assists families in need during the holiday season. This year, multiple families from the Middletown and Westfield area have been “adopted” by our area’s finest First Responders. Additionally, gifts and food items were collected by members of the Elks Lodge 771 as well as the South Fire District and delivered to the families by a caravan of decorated fire apparatus, rescue vehicles and busses donated by the Ruimerman Family. Santa riding in the first fire apparatus along with his elves and bus loads of carolers travelled their merry route to visit the ten area families and presented them with the donated Holiday gifts.

This is the fourth year the South Fire District approached the Elks Lodge #771 and requested our assistance in this program. Consistent with our motto of “Elks Care, Elks Share” we gladly accepted the invitation, and will continue this tradition moving forward. In addition to presenting a Connecticut Elks Community Grant and collecting gifts for the families, the Elks Lodge #771 hosted a welcome reception for all of the volunteers who participated in the program. Many thanks to the members who donated to this program as well as the volunteers who helped out for reception dinner. Special thanks to Chef Kevin Smith and Barbara Miller for the generous donation of their time to prepare the buffet dinner. The “Adopt a Family” program in Middletown originally began 15 years ago by Middletown Police Officer Rob Siena. The South Fire District has been involved since its inception, and formally took over the program following the retirement of Mr. Siena.

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