Families Who Lost Loved Ones In The Line Of Duty Get Holiday Treat
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The holidays kicked off early for hundreds of families on Sunday.
As TV 10/55's Ilana Gold reported, this year some families who lost loved ones in the line of duty received some much-needed cheer.
Mia Graffagnino was one of those children who went on a holiday shopping spree through Toys "R" Us in Times Square, where she had plenty of gifts to choose from.
"It's so big, there are so many toys. It's just like amazing," she said. "Upstairs the Willy Wonka section and over here the Candy Land section and stuff."
But the trip to the toy store wasn't just for Mia and her family, she also had a special person on her mind.
"My dad died seven years ago, so this is for him because he's a firefighter," she said.
Firefighter Joe Graffagnino died while battling the Deutsche Bank fire at Ground Zero in 2007.
"Yeah a little difficult remembering him celebrating Christmas and Easter. It's just like different not having him around," Mia said.
So to make it less difficult, the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association helped Mia and hundreds of other local kids who lost a parent in the line of duty.
And not only did the kids get a few free gifts, they also got a visit from Santa.
"All the firefighters are here from his firehouse. It's like he's here too in spirit," Mia said.
The day wasn't just about buying gifts, Gold reported, it was a time for the families to come together and support each other right before the holidays, when so many of them need it the most.
"We just feel like we're part of a family and the kids have a connection to their dad," said Mia's mother Linda.
"It's a reminder to the children that there is this massive family that cares about them," said Steve Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
And for Mia, that reminder was an important one.
"It makes me feel better," she said.
Close to 300 kids participated in Sunday's event.
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