Newton Fire Department helps Santa

November 21, 2012

O-N-E PHOTO BY heather blanton

Tuesday afternoon at Newton Fire Department Station 1 the engine bay looked a little different than a normal day. Instead of maintaining fire equipment, the men were seen putting together children’s bicycles.

The bicycles found in Newton were only a small portion of bikes that Hickory Fire Department assembles for the Bikes for Tykes program through the Catawba County Christmas Bureau.

Fire Inspector David Watson said the partnership was just one part of the brotherhood and said the men didn’t mind helping out for such a good cause. He said the event can also be one that is overwhelming for the parents when their  children receive a new bicycle.  The group of five firefighters put together 46 boys and girls bicycles. Watson said the bikes were just a few of the more than 400 bikes that Hickory Fire Department has to put together for the event.

To read more of this story, pick up the Friday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.