By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Palisades Auxiliary Unit 283 visited Los Angeles Fire Department Stations 23 and 69 on Friday, November 21, with Thanksgiving gifts.
Seven members— Auxiliary Past President Gina Jakel, Arlene Vaillancourt, Eva Kurtz, Linda Andrews, Mary Jo Stirling, Terri Webb and Stephanie Hubsch—visited LAFD Station 69 first. They were greeted by Captain Tommy Kitahata and were given a tour of station, including the kitchen, and met many of the firefighters on shift.
“They made freshly baked cookies for us—so nice,” said Hubsch, Auxiliary Unit 283 treasurer.
The group then gathered in front of the station where Jakel said a few words of gratitude for the firefighters. She presented them with Thanksgiving cards and three gift certificates (for Shift A, B and C) for $250 to Palisades Garden Cafe, with the Auxiliary saying the firefighters were “very happy” to receive the certificates and cards.
Afterward, eight Palisades Auxiliary Unit 283 members—the previous group plus Fran Aponte—visited LAFD Station 23 where they were greeted by Captain Cesar Garcia. They took a tour of the station, meeting the firefighters on shift.
“The rescue rig was out on a call, but returned before we departed,” the Auxiliary shared.
The group then gathered out front of the station, where Jakel shared words of gratitude and presented the firefighters with a Thanksgiving card and gift certificate for $500 to Palisades Garden Cafe.
At both fire stations, the members and firefighters gathered out front to take a photo. Auxiliary members also purchased T-shirts from both stations.
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