Crime & Safety

Kids In CPS Spend Day With Local Firefighters

"Shop with a Firefighter" allows youths in Riverside County CPS the opportunity to spend the day with a firefighter and includes shopping for school supplies, clothing, discretionary needs, and a small amount to use on a gift of their choice.

Donations made by residents, local businesses and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors yielded over $30,000 to help make the holidays brighter for more than 100 kids in Child Protective Services.

For the past 11 years, Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters have participated in the “Shop with a Firefighter” program. The annual event allows youths in Riverside County CPS the opportunity to spend the day with a firefighter and includes shopping for school supplies, clothing, discretionary needs, and a small amount to use on a gift of their choice.

“Seeing the joy that these kids get out of shopping with our firefighters is as rewarding as seeing the smiles that it brings to our firefighter’s faces,” said Matthew Brandt, director of finance for the Riverside County Professional Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins added, “It is because of the great working relationship between the Department, the union and our partnering agencies that this event continues to be successful year after year.”

Funds are raised from September through December for the Shop with a Firefighter program. However, benevolent funds are raised year-round and assist firefighters and their families in the event of injury, line of duty death and other tragedies.

For more information on donating, click here. All donations for the Benevolent fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization are tax deductible. --Contributed Content


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