Ford Plays Santa, Gifts New F-150 to Detroit Firefighters

With the help of Denis Leary and the Detroit Lions, Blue Oval gives to three deserving fire houses.

This time of year we hear a lot about the “spirit of giving,” and Ford has decided to make that more than a sales pitch. The Blue Oval took it as a call to arms and enlisted some A-list help to honor and reward America’s unsung heroes: firefighters.

Ford worked alongside the Detroit Lions and actor Denis Leary, who heads The Leary Firefighters Foundation, to gift three firehouses in Detroit with some much needed supplies. All donated their time to deliver furniture, televisions, video games, barbecue grills, and much more to the fire stations. And fortunately, the Blue Oval is sharing this special moment with fellow Ford fans with a great new video that’s certain to put you in the holiday spirit.

“Clearly, Saint Nick isn’t the only one working overtime this holiday season,” says Leary in the clip. “So, Ford decided to do something special to honor the brave men and women of the Detroit Fire Department. To help me make it happen, I called on my friends: the Detroit Lions.”

‘It was a blessing. Any time our firefighters can be recognized is a great day.’

Santa’s not-so-little helpers included Lions’ placekicker Matt Prater, offensive linemen Graham Glasgow, T.J. Lang, Taylor Decker, and Travis Swanson. Along with Leary, they surprised the fire company by bringing gifts to the modestly-equipped fire stations, including cookware, grills, beds, and TVs.

“This is a follow-up to something we did last year around Thanksgiving in Dallas, where Ford, the Cowboys, and the Leary foundation focused on an ‘extreme makeover’ renovation of an older firehouse in the northwest part of the city,” Ford marketing manager Patrick Leitch tells the Detroit Free Press.

But they didn’t stop there. After the Lions drop off a few gifts, Leary shows up at the firehouse to deliver another big surprise.

“In the spirit of the holiday season, my friends at Ford would like to donate this brand-new F-150 [Lariat] to the Detroit Fire department,” Leary tells the gathered firefighters, “and the Leary Firefighters Foundation is gonna kick in another $50,000 worth of equipment and gear.”

Expectedly, the crew is surprised, overwhelmed, and appreciative. “This is the greatest gift that I have ever been a part of,” responds firefighter Jason Raleigh.

“Anything we could have possibly asked for showed up on our front porch today,” adds another appreciative first responder.

“We are so blessed and thankful,” says another.

Charles Simms, second deputy fire commissioner, tells the Detroit Free Press, “It was a blessing. Any time our firefighters can be recognized is a great day…We are grateful.”

“Just seeing the looks on their faces when they were able to see all this stuff out there was fantastic,” adds Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.

And we can’t think of any recipients more deserving.

Also See: Dallas Cowboys, Ford Help Fix Up Texas Fire Station

S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.