Andrew's Mission gives back to sick children
By: Christian Henson
Updated: December 12, 2012
"Two years ago we were told of a little boy that was up at the hospital in the care of the ICU, he had a heart condition, and at that point in time we also learned that he wanted to be a fire fighter. I recently learned that one of the reasons he wanted to be a fire fighter is because he wanted to help serve others."
Andrew Villarreal was born with a heart condition that would require numerous heart surgeries and sent him to the hospital often but when he was 5 years old this future firefighter got the visit of his dreams with some help from Assistant Fire Chief Glen Smith and the Lubbock Fire Department.
"Things progressed very fast that day, we were able to get a couple of fire engine crews over to the hospital that day, was able to get a few toys over to surprised him and I still remember the look on his face and his family's face that day."
Earlier this year Andrew's family got the call they had been dreading, Andrew was in renal failure and didn't have much time. Firefighters in Lubbock gathered together to make Andrew an honorary member of the fire department.
"We were able to have a very special moment of pinning him as an honorary deputy fire chief with a badge and collar brass and we were able to give him a ride on the route he wanted to go to."
Andrew's family has created a foundation called Andrew's Mission. This year they are working with the Lubbock Fire Department and Covenant Children's Hospital to bring toys to children who are in the hospital this Christmas. This is the first drive for Andrews Mission but Andrew's mother Sasha Downing knows it won't be the last.
"She would really love to see a foundation started in the future that can assist families like she and her family had to deal with."
If you would like to donate a toy you can drop them off at these locations:
If you would like to donate a toy you can drop them off at these locations:
Lubbock Fire Stations: (Every Day 10am - 8pm)
#1 - 1202 18th St. 79401
#2 - 1515 E. Ursuline 79403
#3 - 6420 25th St. 79407
#4 - 2504 Cornell St. 79415
#5 - 1101 Zenith Ave. 79403
#6 - 3320 35th St. 79413
#7 - 202 Slide Rd. 79416
#8 - 2120 50th St. 79412
#9 - 4814 50th St. 79414
#10 - 4810 Martin Luther King Blvd. 79403
#12 - 5202 79th St. 79424
#13 - 540 N. Fulton Ave. 79416
#14 - 2402 96th St. 79423
#15 - 8002 Venita Ave. 79424
#16 - 4030 114th St. 79423
#17 - 3241 63rd St. 79413
McWhorter Tire, Auto Service & Fast Lube Center (M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat 7:30am - 5pm, Closed Sunday)
5807 Frankford Ave. 79424
Child Life Dept. @ Covenant Children's Hospital
4015 22nd Place 79410
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