BSO and Pompano Beach first responders join volunteers to deliver truckloads of Christmas gifts to families in need

Pompano Beach, Florida – On Christmas morning, Pompano Beach came alive with the spirit of giving as first responders, volunteers, and community members delivered truckloads of gifts to families in need. The annual Benevolent Association Christmas Express, hosted by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, continued its decades-long tradition of bringing joy to children and families who might otherwise go without presents during the holiday season.

At Fire Station 63, the morning began with volunteers and first responders preparing three U-Haul trucks packed with toys, with additional trucks on standby to ensure no child was left behind. For those involved, the event represents a unique opportunity to put smiles on children’s faces and spread holiday cheer across the community. “Something that looks like a simple toy to us means so much to that family,” said Kathy, one of the event’s organizers. “And where I find my joy is in the faces of the moms, the dads and the grandparents who have tears pouring down their faces because we’re able to help supplement them for Christmas, to be able to put the smiles on those kids’ faces.”

The roots of the event trace back over 25 years, beginning modestly with a single teacher handing out teddy bears from the back of her truck. Over time, the program grew with support from local police and fire departments, evolving into a large-scale operation that now uses multiple trucks to reach hundreds of families across Pompano Beach. “We used to be in small little U-hauls with boys and girls on one truck, and now we’ve built it over to three [trucks], with an overflow truck, which is amazing. We’re so thankful to be able to do this and, you know, support the community,” said Corey, another organizer and firefighter.

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Christmas Day in Pompano Beach saw a fleet of trucks, a fire engine, an ambulance, and a sprinter van loaded with gifts make their rounds through the city. Volunteers stopped at nine different neighborhoods, spending approximately half an hour at each location, handing out toys, bikes, and larger gifts. The procession, led by the flashing lights of first responder vehicles, brought excitement and anticipation to children and families waiting in line. “At each stop we pull up, and it’s amazing. It’s amazing to see the kids in the line. It’s amazing to see their smiles, it’s amazing to see their mothers, their grandmothers, their parents just so blessed with sometimes tears pouring down their eyes,” Kathy said. “And it’s neat to see how one toy puts a smile on a child’s face, and it warms my heart to do it.”

The preparation for the event begins months in advance. Kathy and Corey start organizing in the months leading up to Christmas, shopping for toys and coordinating donations from local businesses and community members. “We are so so blessed by businesses that are around here in Pompano, and some not in Pompano,” Kathy said. “People that just start seeing what we’re doing and start sending us either toys or donations, and we shop, and we shop, and we shop to fill up these trucks. It takes a lot, and we are so so blessed by all of our vendors that come out and support us.”

Volunteers also play a critical role in ensuring the success of the Christmas Express. Jennifer, a volunteer who participates with her 18-year-old daughter, explained why the event is so meaningful. “It’s just such an honor to be able to see her, be able to give back, and just show love and community. So we really love doing this,” she said. Another volunteer, who has helped for nearly two decades alongside his mother, reflected on the enduring importance of the tradition. “We want to just bring happiness and joy and just show that the community that we can just all get together and just spread joy for all the kids. It’s just – it’s so beautiful, absolutely.”

As the morning progressed, organizers reported long lines and overflowing trucks, a testament to the popularity of the event and the need it fulfills in the community. “Now that the word is getting out, we’re getting longer lines and everything like that. Our toys, our trucks are still very, very full. We still have an overflow truck. We’re just expecting all the same,” Kathy said. “We’re expecting more kids, more smiles, more happy faces and sometimes some joyous tears, and we are fully blessed to be able to do this.”

By the time the team reached their third stop of the day, Corey reported that they had already distributed gifts to over two hundred children. “We’ve got a couple more to go, and I’m hoping that there’s more and more kids, a lot of smiles on faces, and a lot of people happy to see Santa Claus,” she said. For Corey, the personal satisfaction of participating in the event is immense. “I spend most of my holiday season doing this and planning and stressing out, and then being able to be here on Christmas Day and actually seeing the smiles on people’s face and just the appreciation by the community is just like such a good feeling,” she explained.

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Over the years, the Benevolent Association Christmas Express has grown from a small, local initiative to a large, city-wide operation that relies on the generosity of both volunteers and the broader community. The program highlights the impact of collective action, demonstrating how law enforcement, fire rescue personnel, and local residents can come together to create meaningful experiences for children and families during the holiday season.

Corey hopes the event will continue to thrive for years to come, leaving a lasting impact on the community. “I just hope to spread joy and happiness and just, you know, that we’re a community and that community helps community,” she said. In a city where some families might struggle to provide gifts for their children, the Christmas Express offers more than toys—it provides hope, joy, and a tangible reminder of the care and connection that exists within the Pompano Beach community.

As the day wrapped up, the streets of Pompano Beach were filled with laughter, cheers, and the excitement of children discovering gifts left especially for them. The tireless efforts of first responders, volunteers, and organizers made it possible for families to enjoy a brighter holiday, reinforcing the enduring tradition of giving back and strengthening the bonds that unite the community. The Benevolent Association Christmas Express continues to serve as a shining example of what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose: to bring joy, happiness, and hope to those who need it most.