by David Ball
Staff Writer
It took dozens of City of Jacksonville employees in two assembly lines to move all the bikes, toys and other Christmas fare from the steps of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue headquarters to box trucks waiting to take the gifts to some of Jacksonville’s most needy children.
Wednesday marked the 10th time City employees, as part of JaxCares, made Christmas a little brighter for children receiving gifts through the Salvation Army’s Adopt-an-Angel program. And this year’s haul was the biggest ever, according to the City’s coordinator, Cindy Davis.
“Last year we gave gifts to about 212 kids, and this year we’re right at 300,” said Davis. “Our employees adopt a child and then shop for them, buying them clothes, shoes, toys, bikes. They use their own money and can spend as much as they want.”
Davis said there is no way to figure out the total money spent by the City employees, but Maj. Jim Arrowood, area commander for the Salvation Army, said the City’s contribution is substantial.
“It’s just remarkable to see how the City has embraced those in need,” said Arrowood. “We have a number of large groups that donate, but the City’s contribution speaks highly of the mayor and the staff. Not only are they talking about reaching out, but they are doing it.”
Arrowood said about 13,000 children across Duval County will receive gifts after applying to the program in the fall and being determined through a Salvation Army screening process that they are in fact needy.
Fire and Rescue Chief of Emergency Preparedness Lorin Mock has given gifts through the program for several years, and he said this year his designated child was an 8-year-old boy.
“I got him a Jaguars jersey and a Hummer truck. I think he’ll like that stuff,” said Mock. “We have a lot of people in our stations that take part in this program and like giving to kids who would not get some of these toys otherwise.”