Families visited by Naples fire department for a good reason

About nine families in Naples received some holiday cheer recently as firefighters gifted them with money to help make ends meet.

For Takirra Bobbitt, it was a dream come true.

“This is a blessing to me and my little family,” said the mother of four who recently lost her job while battling breast cancer.

“Oh geez,” she said. “It’s really stressful.”

Bobbitt lives at the Gordon River Apartments in Naples. She and about four other families were gifted money raised by Naples firefighters in Local 2174. Firefighters donated their own money and raised funds from the community to help the families.

“We were able to, you know, pull some of our money together and figured that you know, we just need to start right here at home and help out as many people as we could,” said Chris Clissold, president of the Local 2174, the Naples fire union.

Antonio Dumornay, who also lives at the Gordon River Apartments, said he has seen a lot of struggle this holiday season.

“Really a lot of hardship, to be honest,” Dumornay said. “Really trying to figure out what they’re going to do between bills and actually buying some Christmas gifts.”

Pete DiMaria, Naples fire chief, said he is making an effort to outreach to the public more often.

“One of our department‘s efforts are to really be more in our community than just a department that is there on your worst day,” DiMaria said. “We want to be part of our community.”

Bobbitt said she is hopeful for the future.

“I’m a survivor so every day is a blessing just waking up and being with my four beautiful babies,” she said.