JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY--- Johnstown firefighters hit the mall a few days before Christmas to buy gifts for a family in need.
"We see people at the low end of their lives, usually when we see people its in a bad way- fire, car crash or they're sick," said Captain Jason Novack. "By doing this hopefully we'll be bringing smiles to some faces this Christmas."
The entire department raised nearly $700 to go shopping for a Johnstown family. They spent about three hours at the mall and made a stop at Wal-Mart.
On Wednesday night the group wrapped the gifts.
"We got boxes this year to make it easier," said Captain Ray Penatzer. "We try our best when it comes to wrapping... haha."
"We had some help from Captain McCann's daughters... thank goodness we wouldn't know what to pick for the girls," said Novack.
The Johnstown family the firefighters are shopping for did not want toys as gifts they wanted items like clothes, bed sheets and coats to stay warm.
"It puts a lot of things in perspective," said Novack. "It was touching to see a family want the necessities."
"The best part is seeing the families reaction when we deliver the gifts," said Penatzer.
The gifts will be delivered on Christmas Eve.
"We see people at the low end of their lives, usually when we see people its in a bad way- fire, car crash or they're sick," said Captain Jason Novack. "By doing this hopefully we'll be bringing smiles to some faces this Christmas."
The entire department raised nearly $700 to go shopping for a Johnstown family. They spent about three hours at the mall and made a stop at Wal-Mart.
On Wednesday night the group wrapped the gifts.
"We got boxes this year to make it easier," said Captain Ray Penatzer. "We try our best when it comes to wrapping... haha."
"We had some help from Captain McCann's daughters... thank goodness we wouldn't know what to pick for the girls," said Novack.
The Johnstown family the firefighters are shopping for did not want toys as gifts they wanted items like clothes, bed sheets and coats to stay warm.
"It puts a lot of things in perspective," said Novack. "It was touching to see a family want the necessities."
"The best part is seeing the families reaction when we deliver the gifts," said Penatzer.
The gifts will be delivered on Christmas Eve.
