On Saturday, January 4th, the Mount Vernon The Lions Club and Mount Vernon Fire Department held a 3 Kings Toy Drive at Fire Station 3, 50 West 3rd Street, resulting in an incredible day of fun, camaraderie, and toys. Children aged 4 to 11 received toys, cookies, and drinks, explored the fire engine, and even got to sit behind the wheel of a fire truck! They watched in astonishment as firefighters dressed in full gear demonstrated how to extinguish a genuine fire, and provided fire safety advice—it was an unforgettable event.
The excellent men and women of the FDMV went above and beyond, fielding many questions from interested young minds, demonstrating how their equipment works, and sharing anecdotes about the challenges and joys of their careers. Their patience and enthusiasm inspired and impressed the children. Commissioner Deborah Norman emphasized the importance of early education, saying, “We want the community to be as safe as possible, and it starts with this young age.”
“This collaboration was important because exposing children to these heroes in action helps them understand the importance of safety and service to others,” Judy Williams-Davis secretary of the MV Lions Club shared with Black Westchester.
The event was a resounding success thanks to Commissioner Norman and her outstanding crew. One enthusiastic four-year-old said it best: “Firefighters save lives!” Events like these highlight the necessity of the community banding together to provide a support structure for the children, who, in most cases, become what they see.
“We are all mentoring someone even if we don’t see it,” MV LIONS Club President Oscar Brizuela added. “We are trying to offer an opportunity to unite in these fragmented times we seem to be going through. We can’t make it like that.”
