By Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (December 13, 2022) – A gift-giving project started last year by Lansing Firefighters Union IAFF Local 3709 is making a difference again this Christmas. The Lansing Lions Club joined with the firefighters again, and both groups donated equal amounts to provide gifts for Lansing families.
Public elementary schools in Lansing each identified three “in-need” students. Those names and some specifics about the kids were provided to the firefighters, who then went Christmas shopping.
Last Saturday the firefighters met with the Lions at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (18100 Wentworth Avenue, Lansing) for a massive gift-wrapping session. Lion Mike Winters serves as head elder at St. John’s, and Pastor John Richy is also a Lansing Lion.
The Lions will meet again at St. John’s on Thursday, December 15, to load up the presents and deliver them to each Lansing school. Those schools see that the gifts are given to the correct families.
“The gifts are actually presented to the parents, who can then give them to their children,” explained Winters. “As far as the kids know, the gifts come from their parents.”
The Lansing Lions Club is always looking for new members who would like to be involved in their community. For more information on membership, call 708-418-0736.
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- Firefighters and Lansing Lions provide gifts for 19 Lansing children (December 2021 story)
Great job Lansing Fire Fighters and Lansing Lions. We are very fortunate to have you proactive in helping throughout our community!