MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake firefighters have teamed up with a Spokane-based foundation to help make Christmas special for a few local families in need.

The Moses Lake Firefighters Local 1258 has partnered with the Spokane-based Firefighters for Kids Foundation and are searching for Moses Lake area families that are in a need of a little extra help this holiday season. People can help the cause by nominating a local deserving family.

“Typically, we come in on or near Christmas day and deliver gifts to the children and provide other items like meals or other family activities. We also find out how we can help the family further other than just delivering toys and gifts,” Firefighters for Kids Foundation spokesman Michael Miner explained.

The Firefighters for Kids Foundation started in 2005 in a volunteer fire house in Morgan Acres, which is a small community in Spokane. After touring children’s hospitals, the firefighters discovered how much the hospitals rely on the work of volunteers.

As a result the firefighters started doing outreaches at the hospitals during the holidays. Today the foundation does Easter events, provides dinners for families and gets involved with fundraising events at Spokane’s children’s hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House.

Locals can get involved by nominating families in need by contacting Mike Miner at 509-230-9072 or via email at mminer@ffs4kids.org. In addition, donation barrels have been set up at Moses Lake Fire Station No. 1, 701 E. Third Ave., and the Moses Lake Walgreens, 200 E. Broadway Ave., for people wishing to donate new, unused toys to the cause.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.