While many were at home, unwrapping gifts and basking in the festive spirit of Christmas Day, a segment of our society was hard at work, keeping essential services running and ensuring public safety. According to Fox 10 Phoenix, around 10% of the labor force clocked in on Christmas Day, spanning across various crucial industries including healthcare, hotels, and restaurants. This commitment is further exemplified by first responders who, as per a YourErie report, trade time with their families to ensure the community's safety.
Local businesses like Wong’s Chinese Food and Lovebite Dumplings began their day early, with the latter's Angel Gould telling Fox 10 Phoenix, "We got here at 7 a.m. Yeah, we’ve been here all morning prepping." These businesses not only cater to a customer base grateful for their open doors on a holiday but also extend generosity to those less fortunate. Lovebite Dumplings, for instance, prepared 1,000 dumplings to donate to St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas dinner. "We have an amazing staff that volunteered their time as well today. So it's been a lot more doable," Gould added.
In the public service sector, first responders shared their pride in serving over the holiday period. Captain Tom Palotas of the Erie Fire Department expressed this sentiment to YourErie, saying, "It’s an honor and a privilege to be a first responder, and our families understand that, being a first responder, we might not be home for holidays." Despite spending Christmas on the job, Palotas shared with YourErie that most firefighters look forward to seeing their family at the end of the day and that the fire station hosts a special meal to maintain camaraderie.
For some, like Phoenix firefighters working a 24-hour shift on Christmas, the day brought a chance to merge duty with a touch of celebration. "It’s fun. We have our families down. We all cook. We have members of the community bring food down. So grateful of that. And we run calls. It’s just like any other day," said Phoenix Fire spokesperson Todd Keller, in a statement obtained by Fox 10 Phoenix. Their day included making garlic herb butter for prime rib, highlighting the fusion of service and festivity.
While an additional incentive comes in the form of double time pay or being the only business open, workers across sectors demonstrated a shared commitment to their roles during the holidays. As these individuals returned home to their waiting pajamas and planned movie nights, their service on Christmas Day underscored a dedication to both their jobs and their communities. A customer who had just landed told Fox 10 Phoenix, "Very much. Just landed a half hour ago. Only place open nearby."
