LAKE STEVENS – Santa didn’t always bring toys to Pat Cook’s home.

Cook, a Lake Stevens firefighter, was raised in the projects of north Everett. His mom did all she could during the holidays, but she had four children to feed.

“I remember how special Christmas was, regardless of whether we received toys or clothes,” Cook said.

On Saturday, Cook and more than a dozen Lake Stevens firefighters worked tables at Ixtapa Restaurant to raise money for gifts for low-income families.

Firefighters collected donations as they refilled drinks, handed out baskets of tortilla chips and helped clear tables. Outside, an on-duty crew showed off a fire truck while opening the doors for customers.

Some customers left toys outside the restaurant.

“We get a lot of community interaction,” firefighter Shane Nelson said. “Usually we only see people in emergencies and crisis situations.”

This is the third year the firefighters spent the evening working at the restaurant. This year, like the two previous years, they collected more than $2,300. Firefighters plan to spend $100 on each child they help – $75 on toys and a $25 gift card for clothes and other goods.

The Lake Stevens Family Center connects the fire department with low-income families in the area.

“If we can help 50 kids, great,” Cook said. “If we can only help one, maybe we’ll make their day, their month, their life a little more special. That makes it all worth it.”

Julie and Brian Wasson of Lake Stevens were at Ixtapa last year when firefighters were working there. They came back again this year with their 2-year-old son, Riley.

“He got distracted by the fire truck during dinner,” Julie Wasson said. “He kept pointing to it.”

Deb Compton of Arlington said the firefighters provided “wonderful” service.

“I’m sure this is quite different than what they usually do,” she said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.