Team Ford Lincoln helps out H.E.A.T.

To raise money to aid needy families, Operation Fire H.E.A.T. - Holiday Emergency Assistance Team - had a raffle for a 2013 Ford F-150 Raptor truck from Team Ford Lincoln. It was given away Oct. 21, with Donna Buckley holding the lucky ticket.

Chris Goeschel, Team Ford Lincoln's general sales manager, described the Raptor's features and talked about Ford's advancements for the off-road truck.

"These Raptor trucks are bigger, badder and better than ever before," Goeschel said. "Being the No. 1 Raptor dealer in the world means no one in the country knows more about these trucks than Team Ford Lincoln. And to be involved with a charity like H.E.A.T. that takes such great care of kids during the holiday season, well, that's a win-win."

H.E.A.T.'s primary mission is replacing Christmas toys that children have lost during the holiday season in a catastrophic fire. The team's members work closely with family members and emergency response crews familiar with the families' needs to try to bring back some of the holiday season's hope and joy. After such a devastating loss, they also try to provide necessities such as diapers, formula, toiletries, clothing and school supplies.

Once everything has been purchased, the toys and necessities are delivered by fire engine to wherever the family is staying. The children also are given a detailed guided tour of the fire engine and equipment firefighters use. This also lets firefighters meet and interact with the affected children and the families.

H.E.A.T. aims to provide about $1,000 in assistance to each family it helps during the holiday season. The first priority is to buy toys for the children, then it helps with necessities.

To help continue the holiday spirit, H.E.A.T. will give the family a small tabletop Christmas tree for their hotel room, if they celebrate Christmas, and provide them with a holiday dinner. H.E.A.T. also plans to give Christmas cards with a little cash in them to the children. Whatever is leftover from the $1,000 would be given as a gift card to a store close to where the family is staying.

The team is looking to partner with community organizations and businesses, such as Team Ford Lincoln, to assist in their mission. The nonprofit Operation Fire H.E.A.T. is run by representatives from the valley's firefighting and dispatch agencies, along with several local businesses. For more information, visit www.operationfireheat.org.

Team Ford Lincoln is Nevada's No. 1 new-vehicle sales leader for four years in a row. Team Ford Lincoln, at U.S. Highway 95 and Ann Road, features sales, service and parts, a free arcade, free Wi-Fi and Cobra Café to optimize the customer experience. Visit www.teamford.com for more information.