GREAT FALLS – For ten years, Local 8 firefighters have honored one of their fallen brothers by giving back to the community every holiday season.
Through Paul’s Holiday Wish, firefighters are able to help 16 local families this year.
In 2007, Paul Erickson died in a Mercy Flight crash at the age of 33.
With donations from the family of Darcy Dengel, a nurse who also died in the crash, and from the Christmas Stroll pepper sales, firefighters purchase toys, clothes, and food baskets.
From now until Christmas, they will deliver the items to the families for the holiday season.
“He loved this community, loved giving back. So by doing this, he’s still giving back every year,” Local 8 firefighter president David Van Son said.
For the second year in a row, Josh Huestis, C.M. Russell High School alum and San Antonio Spurs player, matched the proceeds from the Christmas Stroll.
Reporting by Elizabeth Transue for MTN News
