Santa delivers gifts and toy baskets with the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department

LONE OAK, Tenn. (WDEF)- Saturday, the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department passed out food baskets and toys to their tight-knit community, something they’ve done for almost 15 years.

John Kowalski says, “It’s all based on donations… from the community. We have a very generous community”

They were able to help 50 different families… with more than 70 children. However, This year was a little bit of a different experience.

Tommy Johnson, the Board Chairman, says, “This was a tremendous year. We had Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus came all the way here to join us this year from the North Pole. They go to the door and they meet and greet these young children and their payback is the hugs.”

The fire department says around the holiday season they make it a point to give back to the community that supports them year round. They are a volunteer fire department and run primarily on donations, with some help from Sequatchie County. The need for donations doesn’t stop after the holidays have come and gone. They know that the love and support will continue to flow in both directions throughout the year.

Johnson says, “Our community is about 1700 members strong and this is a way to reach out and it really is our mission to reach the people.”

Beyond giving, they tell me they hope that their department continues to grow with more and more new firefighters who want to serve this area, like Dana Clift, the new fire chief. She says a female fire chief ruly sets them apart. She hopes it inspires others to join their family..

Dana Clift says, “Follow your heart… if you have that passion and that drive don’t let anyone bring you down. you know you move forward and you continue your dream your passion.”