A group of retired St. Louis Park firefighters on Thursday delivered more than 300 Christmas gifts to low-income and isolated seniors at several nursing homes in the city.
The gifts were collected with the help of Lunds & Byerlys and Home Instead Senior Care.
"It's a great opportunity for us," said Fire Chief Steve Koering. "It's a way for our retired firefighters to stay engaged with us and with the community."
Social workers helped identify seniors in need and the items that would be most useful to them. Then gift tags with names and the desired gifts were placed on trees at Lunds & Byerlys stores. Shoppers took the tags and returned the gifts to the stores.
Retired firefighters assisting with the effort included Paul Steinhilber, John Skarhus, Mike Stockstead, Marlow Noren, Mark Windschitl and David Just.
JOHN REINAN
