Jim Prester and Robin Gilmore are therapeutic foster parents for children with special needs and work hard every years to provide a Christmas for the kids.
When Prester started falling ill in August, the holidays started to look a little dimmer than usual.
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Thanks to local volunteer firefighters and Santa, Christmas for the family’s children – a 9 month-old girl; 9-year-old girl; a 12-year-old-boy with autism; a 13-old-boy with down syndrome; a 14-year-old with Asperger syndrome and early-onset schizophrenia; and a 15 year old girl on the spectrum – was saved Friday evening.
In August, Prester had three stents put in his heart, he had a blood clot in his wrist and an infection took part of his foot. Having not worked since summer, he and Gilmore knew it wouldn’t be easy to bring Christmas to their foster kids the way they would normally want.
The William Penn Fire Company, which is based in Hulmville and covers a portion of Middletown, found out about the situation and came together to deliver a Christmas to the family.
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Emergency responders, Santa and one of his elves – played by Joe and Cheryl Chamberlin – greeted the family, including the six children. Helpers brought several large bags filled with gifts for the children.
“It just gives you a warm feeling, and that’s what Christmas is all about,” said John Riegel Sr., president of the fire company.
According to Riegel, the message alerting the department came in in November, and everyone wanted to help the family the best they can.
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“It’s overwhelming that everyone wanted to do something,” said Riegel.
Jim Bampfield, deputy chief of the fire company, had a large role in organizing the effort, including getting in touch with the donating agencies, local municipalities and setting the entire donation up. “It’s a lot of work, but it is well worth it,” he said.
Amy Strouse, a Middletown township supervisor, was very helpful in planning the donation, Bampfield said.
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“It’s always to be able to help a family out,” Joe Chamberlin, who was dressed as Santa, said.
Prester and Gilmore appreciated the gesture, as well.
“I don’t even know who did it, but it really means a lot,” Prester said as he watched the kids unwrap their presents.
