Local Firefighters “Make A Child Smile” for 20th Year by Cassandra Wagner - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Local Firefighters “Make A Child Smile” for 20th Year

By Cassandra Wagner, Community Writer
December 23, 2015 at 08:37am. Views: 247

On Thursday, Dec. 17, 50 students from the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) were escorted from Fire Station 211 by Colton firefighters to the local Wal-Mart. The students arrived by bus surrounded by the blare and lights of fire-trucks. Their arrival marked the beginnings of a holiday tradition. For 20 years the Colton Fire Department has worked with the CJUSD, alternating between eight schools, to take 50 deserving children each on a $100 shopping spree in Wal-Mart during the holiday season. “This is one of my favorite events every year. It shows what a special place Colton is and what big hearts our fire department has. They are just amazing and it really brings us together,” said CJUSD Communications Manager, Katie Orloff. Firefighter Paramedic Steve Sands has coordinated the event for the past two years. “I really enjoy it, but it has been going on for a long time. It was started by one of our members who had gotten the idea from another department. He wanted to do a charitable event and it has been going on ever since." Over the past 20 years, with the help from local sponsors, the fire department has raised over $100,000 and served over 1,000 children. “It is amazing that we are able to generate all of the funds from people wanting to give,” Sands said. After the students arrived, they are lined up and paired with a firefighter or community member to shop. However, before any shopping begins, the students have an opportunity to take a photo with Santa and grab a snack. This was the first time Jacquie Paul, CJUSD Communications Specialist, attended the event. “I am fairly new to Colton and this just exemplifies what I think about the community. The spirit of giving and the spirit that we are all in this together, to ensure that our students have everything they need to succeed and to be happy. I am just excited to be here,” Paul said. Ret. firefighter Roger Entwistle has been participating nearly every year since the inception of the "Make A Child Smile" program. Entwistle shopped with a young student Eric, for the day. After learning that Eric had come to school without a coat, Entwistle was touched. "My heart went out to him. When you find a child in need, we open our hearts and our wallets. Christmas is for the children, it is a time to show your love to them." In addition to the toys purchased with the allotted money, Entwistle purchased clothes, a bike, and a helmet for Eric after watching him pick out gifts for his brother and shopping for clothes. "When a child asks for clothes that tells you something about the child and touches your heart," Entwistle said. For Entwistle the holiday season and traditions such as this remind him of his blessings. "Now that I am retired I feel blessed to do that for children. I am the lucky one." Sands sees the benefits first hand that the event gives to the community. “We get a large influx of people from our department, other departments, off duty guys, retirees, and community members. It is all of ours favorite thing, because these kids are truly the ones in need. They are hand selected by their teachers. As you go around shopping with them, you get to hear their stories and it really warms your heart to know that we are really helping them have a good time,” Sands said.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 540

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 779

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1955

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 586

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1055

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 510

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 581

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1334

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 619

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 474

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 776

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 726

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->