Once a holiday tradition is established, most find it hard to give it up.
That is especially true of the local firefighters and their family members who have worked hard annually for the last 90 years to administer and improve the Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund.
While Cheer Fund co-chairman Ben Noblitt wasn’t expecting doughnuts, orange juice, hot chocolate and coffee, somebody brought the tasty goodies anyway during Saturday’s annual Cheer Fund distribution. After all, they have long been part of the Cheer Fund tradition.
Santa Claus was not expected to make an appearance this year due to COVID-19. But as firefighters and their families arrived shortly after 7 a.m., there was the Jolly Old Elf himself (looking remarkably like Santa’s helper Ralph Childers) getting his photo taken with firefighter families. Santa is also a cherished Cheer Fund tradition.
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"I would be very disappointed not being part of this event, because kids look forward to seeing me," he said. And since Saturday morning’s rain was little more than a mist, St. Nick was able to make a limited number of deliveries on a fire truck.
"This (permanent home) is just what we needed," said Kathy Dwyer, wife of veteran firefighter David Dwyer. "The Cheer Fund is a piece of history and tradition that will hopefully carry on forever."
A heritage of giving
Another long-standing tradition is the celebration of the first delivery vehicle in line. Saturday’s bragging rights went to Derrick and Micah Hampton, as well as their two teenage children. The family arrived at the new Cheer Fund headquarters, 2670 Verhulst St., at 5:30 a.m.
"It was early," Derrick Hampton said. "But it was also very exciting."
One frequently-asked question that leaders of the charity receive is about the value of the items inside each gift box.
Generally speaking, it is somewhere between $100 to $150 per child, Noblitt and fellow co-chairman Justin Sims said. But that estimate doesn’t take into account that the Cheer Fund has an arrangement through Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Seymour that provides gifts at heavily discounted prices, he said.
Noblitt estimates that the Seymour discount retailer was able to save the Cheer Fund as much as $40,000 this year.
But what has really helped out the charity was signing up with Amazon, Walmart and Target online charity programs, Noblitt said. It allows individuals to go to the website of participating retailers, choose a toy in their price range among a list created for the Cheer Fund, buy one or more items, and have them shipped straight to the Columbus Fire Department’s administrative offices at 11th and Washington streets.
"We were getting boxes of toys every single day from people who never had to leave their house," Noblitt said "I had to fill up a trailer three different times just to move all of the toys to the new headquarters. That was phenomenal."
There was also a steady flow of financial contributions amounting to several thousand dollars dropped off at the administrative offices every single day, said Columbus Fire Department spokesman Capt. Mike Wilson.
Taking in the holiday spirit
Saturday’s deliveries marked the culmination of a significant amount of work for firefighters and volunteers. The final gift boxes were packed Thursday night, while many firefighters stayed up late Friday to put up decorations at the new headquarters.
But many said it was worth it when very young children like 2-year-old Paisley Brown arrive in a delivery vehicle, only to feel Christmas magic all around them.
For example, a machine was placed near the exit garage door that made soap bubbles so small that they resembled snowflakes. To the left of the door was a life-size projection of Jolly Old St. Nick waving farewell as the volunteers headed out on their deliveries.
Those who drove in the south door went through a large inflatable arch with the words "Merry Christmas," as well as under an exceptionally large traditional Christmas wreath. Three strands of Christmas lights hanging down from the rafters not only added to the holiday ambiance, but also helped drivers determine where they should maneuver their vehicles.
And, of course, plenty of upbeat Christmas music helped everybody enjoy the experience.
The eyes of young Paisley, who will turn 3 on Dec. 28, were wide open with wonder as she experienced this new holiday wonderland. When she saw a new bicycle, Paisley told her parents she wanted it for Christmas because her current bike is broken.
After someone excitedly said to Paisley: "Look … Santa!," the toddler responded by pointing to a group of men and exclaim with equal enthusiasm: "Look … firemen!"
Another volunteer said she just liked giving to other people and helping out.
"Giving is more fun than getting," said Ellie Spencer, daughter of firefighter Ben Spencer.
Long time coming
Those who have long been involved with the Cheer Fund enjoy heralding both novice and veteran volunteer drivers.
First-time volunteer Regina Heagle said she has always wanted to deliver gift boxes for the Cheer Fund. However, she credited her daughter, Hailey — an 11-year-old Parkside Elementary student — for motivating her to finally do it Saturday.
On the other side of the spectrum is Dennis Brooks, a retired firefighter who served as co-chairman of the Cheer Fund in 1986. Brooks, who has made Cheer Fund deliveries for 40 consecutive years, recalls when the charity first attempted to construct its own headquarters in the airport back in the 1980s.
"We got permission from the Columbus Aviation Board, but we couldn’t not get the funding," Brooks said.
He recalls another period in the 1980s when the Cheer Fund was set up at an old Wastewater Treatment building.
"It leaked every time it rained, so we had to put everything up on skids," Brooks said. "Pigeons would also get in there, and we had to clear them out before they left a mess on everything. But it’s gotten so much better now, and this year, I think we finally capitalized on what the Cheer Fund means to this county."
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While gift boxes were distributed Saturday, monetary donations are still needed. This is especially important this year after COVID-19 caused many of the charity’s fundraisers to be canceled.
Donations can be dropped off at your local Columbus fire station. You can also mail checks to 1101 Jackson St., Columbus, IN 47201 or drop off at any fire station.
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For a photo gallery of the Cheer Fund distribution day, go to therepublic.com.
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