Lake Emergency Medical Services’ “Sirens for the Season” Project to provide Christmas Joy for Foster Children in Lake County

Nothing is more heartwarming than the smile of a child unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning. Lake Emergency Medical Services (Lake EMS) employees believe that every child should have reasons to smile on Christmas. So, this year the employees at Lake EMS are kicking off a new “Sirens for the Season” project which will provide Christmas gifts to children in the Lake County foster care system.

As executive director Jerry Smith explains, “The Lake EMS family is very generous and we expect they will provide gifts for the foster children as quickly as they are identified. Other Lake EMS needy children’s holiday projects have been extremely successful due to the support and involvement of our employees. Our own Santa will deliver the gifts in one of our ambulances which is always a thrill for the kids.”

Employees and members of the public who would like to support “Sirens for the Season” can view details below (gender and age of child, clothing/shoe size and interests for gift ideas). Once you select a child to shop for, please call the number listed below to confirm your selection and ensure that there is no duplication of effort. The project is also accepting donations of good condition (new or used) artificial Christmas trees and decorations for any of the families which might not have one.

Lake EMS will have drop off locations for trees, decorations, and unwrapped gifts for the foster children at:

• Lake EMS Administration – 2761 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 in Mt. Dora
• Lake EMS Support Services – 2345 South 14th Street in Leesburg

Unwrapped gifts can also be dropped off at North Lake Resale Group Meet (Row 2) at the Liberty Baptist Church in Tavares on Thursdays (4:30 – 6:00 pm) through December 19.

In its initial year, the “Sirens for the Season” project plans to help five foster families. In future years, it is expected that the number of families assisted will grow.
For more information on the “Sirens for the Season” project contact Nadja Willis at 352.348.4074.

• FAMILY #1 – 3 Children
  • Girl – Age 14
    • Favorite Color: Purple
    • Size 10 in Childrens; 00 in Womens Skinny Jeans
    • Shoes – 6 ½ – 7
    • Wish List: Music, CDs, Rock Musi
  • Girl – Age 9
    • Favorite Color: Purple
    • Size 10 Jeans, Shirts M
    • Shoes – 4
    • Wish List: Barbie Dolls, Board games
  • Boy – Age 11
    • Favorite Color: Blue
    • Size 12 pants, Shirt M
    • Shoes – 5 ½
    • Wish List: Army (anything) Legos, Fishing

• Family #2
  • Boy – Age 9
    • Wish list:  Skateboard
    • Tablet/learning device
    • Lazer tag blasters/Beyblade Metal Fur
  • Girl – Age 7
    • Size 1
    • V-tech InnoTab3’s
    • Singing Machine/Karaoke
    • Roller blades
  • Boy – Age 5
    • Air hogs helicopter
    • Bike
    • Tablet/learning device
  • Boy – Age 2
    • Leapfrog learning device
    • Big Wheel/tricycle
    • Little Tikes Basketball Goal
  • Girl – Age 17 months
    • Lil Rider – 4 wheeler battery operated
    • Learning device
    • Baby Alive

• Option #3 – A School Social Worker for Mt. Dora High and Middle has notified us of two boys who are in the foster system and just moved to the area from Clermont. She is requesting help with clothes for Christmas, since the boys only arrived with a backpack of clothes.
  • Boy #1 Age 14
    • Pants – 36/34 mens
    • Shirts – Large, Xtra Large mens
    • Shoe Size – 11 mens
    • Any age appropriate gift
  • Boy #2 Age 12
    • Pants – 32/30 mens
    • Shirts – Large boys, Small mens
    • Shoe Size – 9 mens
    • Any age appropriate gift