(Photo from A.J. and his elf “Carson”)
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Pennsylvania EMTs save Christmas after Massive Fire
Springfield Ambulance EMTs became part-time elves on Christmas Eve.
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A fire at 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve in Swathmore, (Delaware County) Pennsylvania, destroyed a popular deli and residence, threatening to ruin Christmas for three-year-old Selenamarie.
But thanks to a quick posting on Facebook, local EMTs indirectly became Santa and pulled together a small posse of elves to save Christmas for little Selenamarie.
Returning to the ambulance corps headquarters after the incident, EMT Daniel Boyd posted one simple comment on Facebook at 11 a.m., telling people that the ambulance service would probably be dropping off a few presents for the little girl at 7 p.m. and invited them to join the effort.
What happened next was a modern day miracle in Swathmore. In just seven hours, the Facebook friends responded en masse with dozens of presents including toys, clothes, gift cards and cash.
"I didn't do this," said Daniel. "It was the people who read it on Facebook and reached into their pockets."
Boyd and his fellow Springfield Ambulance Corps. EMTs loaded up their emergency “sleigh” with presents and dropped off all of the donated gifts at a home in Media, Delaware County, where the displace family of four is staying.
"This is so great, so great," said Selenamarie's mother, Ashley Hand. "I never expected this."
EMTs dropped off all of the donated gifts at a home in Media where the family is staying.
Selenamarie's great-grandfather, John Carrafa, owner of the destroyed Countryside Deli and residence, says he's just simply thankful for the efforts by the firefighters who tried to save his property and Boyd and his EMS elves who saved Christmas for little Selenamarie.
"It's just unbelievable," said Carrafa, who added that he will rebuild his business and home for little Selenamarie and the rest of their family.
“It will be a long road, but the goodwill they received this holiday season will definitely help them get through it,” he says.
