Firefighters bring Christmas spirit early to pair of Goldsboro brothers
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on December 20, 2007 1:45 PM
Last year, Cam'Ron Wells learned not to be afraid of firefighters when Goldsboro department members visited his school.
So the 8-year-old was prepared when Goldsboro Chief Alvin Ward and other department members gathered outside his home on Tuesday.
Cam'Ron and his brother, Brandon, 11, were "adopted" by members of the Goldsboro Fire Department, who went on a shopping spree to furnish gifts for their Christmas tree, Ward said.
Goldsboro Fire Station No. 3 came up with the idea to adopt a family, and the department lined up the Wells brothers and their mother, Vanessa, through the Community Affairs Department, Ward said.
"They went and shopped for them ... and carried the gifts out today in hopes that we could make their Christmas a little brighter," Ward said.
Carver Heights Principal Carole Battle approached Ms. Wells about the project, telling her last week, Ms. Wells said.
Cam'Ron was once afraid of firefighters' gear -- he even cried when he saw an engine in one parade, he said. But he seemed to have overcome any past anxiety on Tuesday.
"I feel excited, and I feel like this is the first time I've met (so many) firefighters," Cam'Ron said.
Firefighter Alton Lewis asked the boys if they wanted to open just one gift on Tuesday, much to their mother's dismay.
"I would have waited," Ms. Wells said as the boys opened a game and a pair of shoes.
Before tearing open the first two packages, Cam'Ron said he had started his Christmas list on Dec. 1.
"I hope it's something I wished for," Cam'Ron said.
Members of the department told the boys that all they asked in return was just for them to contact the department one day about firefighter training.
That seemed like a good idea to Brandon.
"It would feel awesome to save people, like when they're in danger, and help people out when they need us, and serve my country and city and fellow citizens," Brandon said.
That caused some of the firefighters gathered to wonder if Brandon might be better suited to a career as a lawyer or politician.