TALLADEGA — Every year around Christmas, employees at Alabama Industries for the Blind “adopt” 12 to 15 students at Alabama School for the Blind.ASB teacher Gay Klinner gets the wish list and sizes from the adopted students, and groups of AIB employees go about making those wishes come true, according to Christmas Committee Chairwoman Angie Cooper.
“This year, we were blessed with 15 students, and we spent about $300 each on them,” Cooper said. “The committee raised $6,500 this year, so we’ll go into next year with a surplus.”
For one of those 15 students, this year will be particularly memorable, however.
Rindarious Pollard, 4, wanted a fire helmet for Christmas more than anything. “Angie Copper contacted us,” acting Fire Chief Mark McKleroy said. “She hadn’t been able to find one, so we looked, and all the helmets that we have that are in pretty good shape are being used right now.”
McKleroy said he called Southeastern Apparatus Sales in Brecon, which was formerly Quality Manufacturing and Crimson Fire.
“They don’t sell those kinds of things anymore, but it turned out they did still have a few in storage. So they donated it, Cooper went and picked it up and brought it by here for us to sign it and then take it out and give it to him,” McKleroy said.
The helmet would probably cost about $175, he said. “They are definitely not cheap.”
The newly autographed helmet was delivered via fire truck, complete with lights and sirens. Rindarious was treated to a ride around the Industries for the Blind complex with sirens wailing, and was even allowed to sit behind the wheel for a little while.
Rindarious wore an enormous grin the entire time.
Although Rindarious’ Christmas may have been the most memorable this year, 14 other ASB students of all ages also received special gifts this year. According to Cooper, these included Scott Ingram, Aaron Hayes, McKenzie Curry, Jamie Leonard, Annissia Kennebrew, Gaige Todd, Danny Nichols, Antonia Tinniehill, Wesley Baker, Mack Tolbert, Savannah Wallace and Bethany Haynes.
“We just love doing this every year,” Cooper said. “And in January, we’ll start planning for next year.”
