Phoenix Fire surprises young patients with ‘Christmas in July’ event

PHOENIX — Despite temperatures firmly in the triple digits, the Phoenix Fire Department is pretending it is the holiday season.

Patients at Valley hospitals got a special surprise on Monday with the department’s “Christmas in July” event.

“We had some generous community members, local nonprofits and charities donate a bunch of gifts to us,” Phoenix firefighter Kelly Liebermann told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “We just figured we have pallets of them, so hey, why wait til December to give these away?”

Dressed in firefighter turnouts along with a red coat and Santa hat, Liebermann was just as jolly as Santa giving toys to young patients at Maricopa Integrated Health System, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Members of Maricopa Integrated Health System were also in attendance to thank Phoenix Fire for their duties.

“This is just one more example of what Phoenix fire is doing to support our great community,” Steve Purves, CEO of Maricopa Integrated Health System, said.

.@PHXFire making one little girl’s day a whole lot brighter with a new @Barbie doll! How cute is this?! 🎄🎅🏼✨ @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/obRGpUhkOt

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) July 15, 2019

The Phoenix Fire Department collects toys throughout the year to provide the community with events like this.

If you would like to participate, you can donate a new toy at any Phoenix fire station.

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