Cpt. Lance Ewers, Geoff Diehl, and Chief Dave Miller (l to r) stand with the gift tree, just one foot shy of the original tree the Diehl family chopped down last Sunday (12-7-14). (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
The Sitka family that lost their Christmas tree — and, briefly, their father — got a happy ending today (12-10-14), thanks to some local elves.
Last Sunday, the Diehl family found the perfect 7-foot tree, but after cutting it down, Geoff Diehl got turned around in the Indian River Valley. Sitka Search and Rescue (SAR) found Diehl later that evening. But the evergreen was left behind.
Search and Rescue Captain Lance Ewers hauled the tree out of the truck bed and brought it to the Diehl’s front door. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
According to Search and Rescue Captain Lance Ewers, the firehouse decided to change that.
Ewers said, “The volunteer division within the fire department of the search and rescue team decided to put some money for a little collection and get the family a nice Christmas tree.”
Along with Fire Chief Dave Miller, Ewers delivered a brand new tree, bought at Spenard Builders Supply, to the Diehl family this morning (12-10-14).
“Hey Jeff,” said Ewers, hauling the tree from a red truck to the front door. “It’s not as big as the one you got, but by golly it’s a good one.” Diehl thanked him and Miller.
Holding his second tree on the front porch, Diehl said he would leave the decorating to his family.
“My wife and my daughters usually do it. So I just sit back and usually watch them do it,” said Diehl.
In this season of giving, Ewers said he was all to happy to help the family carry on their Christmas tradition.
