PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. --
Some Broward County firefighters played Santa's elves at a Pembroke Pines Wal-Mart on Tuesday.
"Usually a fire truck in front of a Wal-Mart is not a good sign, but that was not the case on Tuesday. Firefighters gave back to the community.
The firefighters bought toys that will go to hundreds of sick children.
"It's very important to me, as a person, because I love children," said Sam Aloi of Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue. "Of 28 years of being a firefighter with the sheriff's office, this is my main thing."
Instead of fighting flames, once a year, the Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue Department gives back. The department buys thousands of dollars worth of toys, and each dollar is matched by Wal-Mart.
"Well, it's a great feeling," said Denise Shaheen of Wal-Mart. "I mean, we work hard, but to give back like that, especially since I live in the community here in Pembroke Pines. It's just a wonderful feeling."
This year's tab came out to over $5,000. Every penny is well spent toward baskets overloaded with every toy imaginable.
The baskets are delivered to children with cancer at area hospitals.
Firefighters said, last year, the Grinch tried to steal Christmas for the children.
"Last year the worst thing happened," said Dan Olson of Broward County Sheriff Rescue. "We had done this benefit and collected all the toys, and somebody broke into the trailer that we store them in and stole them all."
When the community heard about the theft, they opened their hearts and wallets so that Christmas wasn't lost for the children.
The firefighters said that, this year, the children don't have to worry.
"They have more security measures in place," Olson said.
The toys were loaded into a trailer and will be given to children with cancer a few days before Christmas.
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