
The third annual “Adopt a Family” program happened this afternoon when firefighters at the Munjoy Hill Fire Station loaded up the back of an ambulance with a huge pile of gifts for a Hill family needing some cheer this year. The tradition was begun three years ago by Brandon Farley and Mark Tweedy who were partners at the Hill station. Tweedy’s mother was part of a similar program in Michigan and that is where the idea originated.
The firefighter Adam Royer took up the reigns this year and organized the event. Royer said that the recepient is a family with five children and a mom and dad. The children range in age from 17 years old to a one-year old. The father works two jobs to try and keep up with the bills. This family is going through tough times this year, said Janine Kasserman, of the Community Policy Center, who recommended the family for the “Adopt a Family” program this year.
The pile of gifts above were mostly from small donations from people in the neighborhood and a financial donation of $700. from businesses on the HIll and in downtown Portland. Kati Wallace, of the restaurant “Blue Spoon” was the major source of the gifts donated from the Hill.

“We are so pleased to give some Christmas cheer to a family who needs some cheer this year. We hope that in the next few years other stations will join us in this endeavor,” said Adam Royer, elf-in-chief this year. He has young children and can’t imagine not being able to provide them gifts for Christmas.
In a surprise revelation, Janine Kasserman, of the Community Policing Office, blurted out that she thought the ambulance was going over to Munjoy South.
Note: Apologies for the upside down above photo above. WordPress has a new format that this blogger is still trying to figure out! Will continue to work on the photo of John Brady and Chris Cole. Please visit past posts herein dated December 23, 2015 and December 26, 2015 for more information on “Adopt a Family.” Also, please see a post herein dated October 22, 2016 about the Reopening of the Community Policing Office on the Hill.
