Richmond County firefighters take kids Christmas shopping – The Richmond Observer

ROCKINGHAM — Twenty-one Richmond County kids will have a merrier Christmas thanks to three local fire departments.

The East Rockingham Fire Department, which organized the event, teamed up with Cordova Fire and Rescue and the Rockingham Fire Department to take the kids on a shopping spree at Walmart on Dec. 7.

Each child had a budget of $250 for toys, clothes and whatever else they wanted to buy, accompanied by a combined group of 18 firefighters from the departments, according to Katelin Brigman, firefighter and public relations officer with ERFD.

Brigman said the funding came from in-house donations, with each member donating to the cause.

“We as a department are glad we were able to help sponsor children within Richmond County this year for Christmas,” Brigman said. “We hope that each of these children and their families have a blessed Christmas.

This was the first year RFD participated in the event, according to Chief Harold Isler.

“I am extremely glad that the RFD was extended the invitation to participate this year,” Isler said. “Our personnel enjoyed the event just as much as the kids. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they shopped brought joy to us all.

“The event was a huge success and definitely showed exactly what Christmas is all about,” Isler added, saying the department hopes to participate again in the future. “Glad the RFD was able to play a small role in making a few kids’ Christmas a little brighter this year.”

The Rockingham Police Department and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be having their shopping programs later this month.

Click here to read about RPD’s Shop with a Cop in 2023.
Click here to read about RCSO’s Shop with a Deputy in 2023.

Both of those programs are funded in part by the annual Back the Blue motorcycle ride.

The sheriff’s office is also bringing its annual Santa parades back this year:

Dec. 20 – Ellerbe at 3 p.m.
Dec. 21- East Rockingham at noon, Cordova at 2 p.m.

Click here to see photos of the 2023 parade in Ellerbe.
Click here to see photos from the 2023 parade in Cordova.