West Thurston Fire Authority prepares for Breakfast with Santa

FILE PHOTO — Santa, also known as Tom Fitzgerald, a battalion chief for West Thurston Regional Fire Authority, poses atop the original 1936 Ford fire engine that was the first ever used by the fire district, during a ceremony at the fire district headquarters in Littlerock on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Leaders of the Thurston County Chamber delivered bags of toys and a $1,000 check to the Littlerock and Rochester fire stations. Firefighters there will use the money to buy toys and other Christmas gifts for needy rural families as part of the AWB Holiday Kids’ Tree Project. Employers and donors across the state have donated more than $500,000 to this project since it began in 1989. This year, 78 member businesses of the Association of Washington Business and other individuals have given more than $37,000 to the project, enough to give $1,000 and a bag of toys to 24 rural fire districts in 14 counties across Washington. Fire officials use the money and toys to deliver Christmas gifts and cheer to needy kids and families in their communities. (Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)