Firefighters deliver holiday cheer to struggling family

By Rich Coleman

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | 4:33 p.m.

With the help of the North Las Vegas Fire Department, Santa traded in his sleigh for a fire engine on Christmas Eve.

Through the Emergency Holiday Cheer program, firefighters delivered toys to children struggling to cope with the loss of their mother this year.

With lights and sirens blaring, the firefighters delivered toys to the McJoy family early Friday morning.

“This right here is a blessing,” father Jamar McJoy said.

McJoy’s family was nominated for the program by counselors at Wilhelm Elementary School. McJoy’s wife, Medina McJoy, died in May, and McJoy has been raising the children by himself.

“We kind of struggled this year. My wife passed away...and the kids have been having a hard time with it,” McJoy said. “Them getting little presents made my day.”

Santa and the firefighters handed out board games, footballs, basketballs and three new bicycles to the McJoy children and the children of the McJoy’s extended family, the Myles and Coltrane families.

Issac Myles, 16, and his brother Jeremiah, 15, said it will be tough for them to celebrate their first Christmas without their aunt, but it’s been easier with family close by.

“We’ve been brought together close,” Issac said. “It’s been a great experience to spend time with these guys.”

The toys for the family were donated by the community through a toy drive held by the Southern Nevada Burn Foundation. Fire Capt. Sergio Reynoso said 14,000 children received toys from the drive.

Reynoso said the department's Christmas Family Program has helped 82 families this year, and 450 children received gifts.

“To me, the spirit of Christmas is the giving and communities coming together and helping where they can,” Reynoso said. “Typically when we respond to something, we’re showing up and meeting people on their worst days. This time, it’s an opportunity for us to respond with our lights and sirens and have a really positive outcome on the other side of it.”

As McJoy stood and watched his children, nieces and nephews receive toys from Santa, he said he was touched by the generosity of everyone involved.

“Never give up faith. There’s help out there. If you look for it, it will come to you,” he said.