For the ninth year in a row, the Cortez Fire Protection District delivered gifts to families on Sunday, the day before Christmas. “All the firefighters donate a portion of their check every two weeks, and it goes into an account. And at the end of the year, we adopt usually about 10 families through the Piñon Project,” said Chad Daniels, organizer of the charity. “Then we go around with Santa and deliver the gifts.”

Santa greets new honorary elves and Christmas helpers, Jonathan and Nathan Daniels, on Sunday.

Santa and new “honorary elves” and Christmas helpers, Jonathan and Nathan Daniels, on Sunday.