Kids party with firefighters

BY JOE POTENTE jpotente@kenoshanews.com 

    Elijah Powe has a pretty good idea of what he’d like for Christmas this year.

    “I really, really like Transformers,” the 5-year-old explained Tuesday night as he waited for his chance to meet Mr. Claus.

    Elijah’s youngest brother, Tyler, was a little more general.

    “Christmas,” was the only word the 2-year-old could muster.

    With their 4-year-old brother Byron the Powes were among about 30 local kids who had the chance to celebrate the holiday Tuesday, in a joint effort between a Kenosha firefighters’ charity organization and Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc.

    Chad Zielinski, president of Kenosha Firefighters Care, said the goal was to provide some holiday cheer for some of the area’s less fortunate children and their families.

    Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services chose the kids through its Family Preservation program. Kenosha Firefighters Care, a nonprofit off-shoot of the Kenosha Professional Firefighters Association Local 414, provided pizza, a show by magician D.J. Ehlert and the site of the party, a room in the Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave.

    “We thought it was a great way for us to step in and help, so they could have their pizza party,” Zielinski said.

    Lisa Bowe, a family preservation worker with Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, appreciated the firefighters’ efforts and was happy to see them get some recognition in the community.

    “You always hear about Shop With a Cop,” Bowe said. “I was like, ‘Hey, lets party with the firefighters.”’

    Bowe said the Family Preservation program aims to educate families, helping them to find access to doctors, renters’ assistance and other programs through positive, rather than negative, teaching. Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, a nonprofit agency, runs the program on a contract from the county Division of Children and Family Services.

    Along with food and entertainment, kids at Tuesday’s party were sent home with gifts provided by private donors, many of whom adopted families for Christmas through Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services.

    Bianca Jenkins, the mother of Elijah, Byron and Tyler Powe, gave thanks for the evening.

    “It was really nice of them to throw it,” Jenkins said. “It’s great.”

KENOSHA NEWS PHOTOS BY KEVIN POIRIER Magician D.J. Ehlert performs a magic trick with Trista Vulnera, Jose Garcia and Jesse Garcia, Tuesday night, during a party sponsored by Kenosha Firefighters Care and Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc.

Bianca Jenkins looks on as her sons, Tyler Powe, center, and Elijah Powe, far right, fill in coloring books.