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Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union assists in making some happy holiday memories for needy kids.

Syracuse, N.Y. -  Firefighters were among the first to arrive on the scene when a 2-year-old girl was killed while playing with chalk on the sidewalk this summer.

The girl's brother was also injured while another sibling watched it all happen.
Saturday, the surviving siblings will be doing their Christmas shopping at Destiny USA with some Syracuse firefighters.

"We saw them on the worst day of their lives. Now is an opportunity to make some happy memories," said Syracuse Fire Department District Chief John Kane.

Nothing will erase the pain and loss the family feels. And nothing will erase the memories firefighters have of trying to save a child who was terribly injured.

"It's a little something," Kane said. "Especially this time of year."
The holiday shopping trips began five years ago, an idea of Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler. Syracuse police Officer Dennis Burlingame organized the event, and invited the fire department to help out. Since then, it has grown. Each department raises its own money for the shopping and picks out children to come. Most often, they are kids that they've encountered at crime scenes, fires and accidents.

This year, there are 30 children. Each gets a gift card with about $250 to spend and a police officer or firefighter to help them. Often, it's a firefighter or police officer that they've already met under much worse circumstances.

The money comes from several sources, including the Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union, the firefighter’s union Local 280, Syracuse Firefighters Association and FOCUS (Firefighters of Color United in Syracuse). The police and fire departments raise the money separately. The mall also kicked in some of the money and shopping bags. And everyone involved volunteers their time.

The kids also get a chance to sit on Santa's lap and whisper their Christmas wishes in his ear.

Often, they end up spending the money they've been given on others more than themselves. They'll pick a sweater for grandma, toys for their brothers and sisters.

Their shopping helpers encourage them to buy for themselves, but won't stop them from spending the money on someone else if that's what they want.

"It's really touching," Burlingame said.

Then, when the kids want something just one more thing and the money is gone, the firefighters and police officers often quietly reach into their own pockets for the final purchases.

"These kids are always 100 percent grateful," Kane said.

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