RENO, Nevada — Paramedic Will Goodrich, an American Medflight flight paramedic, was personally involved in the care and air transportation of the Portola fire victims on December 21, 2011.

Goodrich was so moved by the tragedy and the injuries and losses suffered by the family, that on his own he took-up a collection to buy the family Christmas presents.

As of noon on Friday, he raised over $2000. His goal was to raise at least $1000. “The family lost everything in the fire, including their Christmas presents” said Will.

“After what they’ve been through, they deserve to have a Christmas.”

After the Christmas presents have been purchased, all excess funds will be donated the fund established for the Barclay Family at Plumas Bank in Portola. At 11:30 AM on Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve, Will and pilot Jim Lamont will load the Christmas packages into one of American Medflight’s reserve air ambulances.

At approximately 12:00 noon, they will depart the Reno Tahoe International Airport and fly to Sacramento Executive Airport where they will land at approximately 12:35 PM. From there, they will travel to Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento to give Christmas gifts to the children who were involved in the fire. They will then proceed to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento to give Christmas gifts to the adults involved in the fire.

Pilot Jim Lamont is donating his time to fly the aircraft and American Medflight is donating the use of the aircraft for this special delivery, Christmas Eve mission.