Rob Horn's first Christmas in Washington was lonely.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Firefighter and his wife both left big families and lots of friends in New Jersey, and they missed having a crowd of people around to celebrate with.

On their second Christmas, things were different. JBLM's first annual Fire Department Santa Land was full of people and decorations and laughing children - and it made them feel right at home.

"It just had a very family-type feel to it," Horn said.

Now five years on, the event is still giving JBLM Families a sense of the season no matter how far they are from home. On Dec. 15 and 16, kids and their parents visited JBLM's Fire Department Headquarters to see Santa, drink cocoa and feel some holiday cheer.

In fact, Horn helped start the Fire Department Santa Land in 2006 to create a way for the Fire Department to engage with the community in a positive way. He pointed out that usually when firefighters pay people a visit, they're not having a good day.

The event grew steadily from then on. It started with 360 attendees and has attracted roughly 1,800 people the last year or two. But this year, it almost didn't happen at all.

Like a lot of people this Christmas, the Fire Department was hurting for funds. When they started looking at the finances in August, it didn't look like there was enough money to support Santa Land.

Fortunately, the JBLM Lewis Main Thrift Shop and the Fire Department's Union, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 283, came through with donations. They provided enough cash for the refreshments, and ensured one of the event's top priorities - that it be free for servicemembers and their families.

"We like to do what we can to support the military community," Fire Inspector Bill Giffin said. "If we didn't have the Soldiers, we wouldn't have a job either."

So, armed with about 600 cookies, 1,500 candy canes, cocoa, cider and one very important red suit, the Fire Departments of JBLM opened its doors to families across the installation.

It was something that meant a lot to people like Deserai Mundine and Melissa Williams. Both the women are Army spouses from other states, and they're both spending the holidays away from their families.

The Fire Department Santa Land gave them the chance to do something fun as a family, though, and to meet others like themselves. It was also a welcome distraction for the kids.

"As soon as we drove up that was the first thing that he asked," Mundine said of her son, Kordell, 4. "'Where's Santa?'"

She came with him and her daughter, Kaydance, 1. The family has only been here about a year, and will be missing their home in California.

Williams, from Wisconsin, will be missing snow. Still, she's grateful to have events on base that she can go to with her two-year-old daughter, Leyla. Having places to go makes her feel less isolated, which helps.

"We've noticed there's a lot of activities during the month of December, so it's really easy to get out of the house," she said.

For Giffin, the best part is watching the kids walk up to Santa and ask for their dream gifts - particularly kids whose parents might not be home for the holidays.

"I think it takes their minds off missing their parent," he said. "At least for a little while."

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