Dec. 20--GERMAN TWP. -- The German Township Fire Department will continue its tradition of delivering meals to those in need and to the home bound on Christmas day.
Fire Chief Tim Holman and his wife, Rebecka Holman, started the program together five years ago. He said she was the brains behind the operation.
She died of cancer in May 2012, and Holman said the first year without her there on Christmas day was difficult.
"It was rough. You know when you take a dinner to someone and see their face, they can't believe we are doing this. It makes things a lot better," Holman said.
He said five years ago he thought it would just be the two of them at the station cooking Christmas morning, but 14 firemen helped out that year to deliver 12 meals, and every year the event has grown.
"I think its great when you get people who donate their time. We have a good time. Everyone is happy to do it. You see a lot of team effort," Holman said.
Last year the German Township Fire Department delivered 50 meals to people in need on Christmas morning.
About 25 people had signed up as of earlier this week, but Holman is still waiting for the list from the Salvation Army.
He said he hopes to deliver more than 50 this year and is happy to be continuing the tradition his wife created.
"She'd be very happy. That's what Christmas is about. It's not about us, it's about helping other people," Holman said.
Anyone can sign up for a Christmas meal, but they are targeted towards people in need and people who can not get out Christmas morning. Call 937-964-8994 by Dec. 24 to sign up.
Copyright 2013 - Springfield News-Sun, Ohio
