News

Members of the East St. Louis Fire Department (ESLFD) Local 23 were excited to respond to a particular call on Tuesday, Dec.19. That is because they delivered bags of wrapped presents to students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Project Success program.  

Project Success held its second annual Holiday Wishes party in the Multipurpose Room on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. 

“This event was given to provide hope and happiness during the holiday season to children in foster care,” said Tiana Montgomery, Project Success program director. “I hope that our program students realize that they are special, and that they can have their wishes granted.” 

Enclosed in bright and colorful wrapped boxes of various sizes were toys, shoes, coats and more, noted Montgomery. 

Montgomery asked each of her students to provide three wishes for the holidays. She also obtained their coat and shoe sizes. The list was given to the ESLFD to fulfill the requests. 

“I see myself in these kids,” said ESLFD Capt. Andre Howliet. “These kids need to see someone showing love towards them, and the East St. Louis Fire Department is happy to do that!” 

Howliet, who was briefly homeless and in foster care when he was 10 years old, contacted Montgomery last year about the fire department providing gifts to Project Success children. 

“I’m so grateful that the Lord watched over me and brought me out of bad situations,” said Howliet, who has been a firefighter for the past 24 years. “Being able to give is a blessing to me. No one has to tell me to do it. I seek out those who can benefit from benevolent acts, especially children.” 

Assisting Howliet in passing out gifts to Project Success students was ESLFD Lt. P. Jackson. 

This toy giveaway is important to my program because we serve children whose basic needs may not be met,” informed Montgomery. “The firefighters not only purchased what the children wanted, but what they needed, such as new coats and shoes.” 

“With today’s rising costs,” Montgomery continued, “these donations have provided our families with an extra helping hand.” 

“Watching the students’ faces light up with excitement and enthusiasm was a priceless moment for me,” said Montgomery. “It makes me realize why I am here and just how much the Project Success Program has a significant impact on the lives of our program students and their families.” 

The program students personally thanked Capt. Howliet and Lt. Jackson for their gifts. 

In addition to the toy, coat, and shoe donations from the fire department, Project Success families were gifted with $100 Walmart gift cards from First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, Mo. 

The Project Success Program is a comprehensive after-school tutorial enrichment childcare program, which services children ages 5-14 from the communities of Belleville, Brooklyn, East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights, Madison, Venice, and Washington Park each year. The SIUE East St. Louis Center program provides tutoring/homework assistance, enrichment activities, nutrition, field trips, along with recreational and cultural activities to participating youth. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services funds the program. It is designed to serve children who are in protective custody and are referred by the Department of Children and Family Services caseworkers. 

Photos:
Project Success Program Director Tiana Montgomery helps distribute toys from the East St. Louis Fire Department Local 23 to her students. 

PS Program Specialist Kathy Walker-Steele helps students unwrap presents. 

(L-R) Participating in the Project Success’s second annual Holiday Wishes party were PS staff members Angelique Redd, Kathy Walker-Steele and Anthony Griffin, ESLFD Lt. Patrick Jackson, PS staff Ingrid Lindsey and Tiana Montgomery, and ESLFD Capt. Andre Howliet.