Waukegan firefighters light up some cheer at hospital

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Waukegan firefighters Jerry Baumgartner (left) Greg Zahn others deliver gifts kids pediatric unit VistMedical Center East Waukegan including JustHall 7

Waukegan firefighters Jerry Baumgartner (left) and Greg Zahn and others deliver gifts to kids in the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, including to Justin Hall, 7, of Waukegan with his mom Karmisha Gilmore, on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Waukegan firefighter/paramedic Marco Vazquez helps Tra'shawn Townsend 23 months Ziunwrap toy figurines while firefighters delivered about $700 toys pediatric unit

Waukegan firefighter/paramedic Marco Vazquez helps Tra'shawn Townsend, 23 months, of Zion unwrap toy figurines while the firefighters delivered about $700 in toys to the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Waukegan firefighters (from left) DustRynders Marco Vazquez KevHeintz Brian Jacobi Mike Wintercorn Mike Cavanaugh wave Tra'shawn Townsend 23 months Ziafter

Waukegan firefighters (from left) Dustin Rynders, Marco Vazquez, Kevin Heintz, Brian Jacobi, Mike Wintercorn and Mike Cavanaugh wave to Tra'shawn Townsend, 23 months, of Zion after delivering a gift to him and other kids at the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Tra'shawn Townsend 23 months Ziholds up gift he received from Waukegan firefighters (from left) DustRynders Marco Vazquez KevHeintz Mike Wintercorn

Tra'shawn Townsend, 23 months, of Zion holds up the gift he received from Waukegan firefighters (from left) Dustin Rynders, Marco Vazquez, Kevin Heintz and Mike Wintercorn at the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Waukegan firefighters Mike Cavanaugh (left) Edward Johnsdelivered gifts kids pediatric unit VistMedical Center East Waukegan including Jael DelaCruz 1 Waukegan

Waukegan firefighters Mike Cavanaugh (left) and Edward Johnson delivered gifts to kids in the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, including to Jael DelaCruz, 1, of Waukegan with his mom Azalia, on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Waukegan firefighter/paramedic Mike Schejbal talks with BarbarMartpresident CEO VistMedical Center East after firefighters delivered about $700 wrapped toys pediatric unit

Waukegan firefighter/paramedic Mike Schejbal talks with Barbara Martin, president and CEO of Vista Medical Center East, after firefighters delivered about $700 in wrapped toys to the pediatric unit to give to kids at the hospital on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Jael DelaCruz 1 Waukegan opens gift from firefighters with his mom Azalipediatric unit VistMedical Center East Waukegan Friday Dec. 21

Jael DelaCruz, 1, of Waukegan opens a gift from firefighters with his mom Azalia in the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

JustHall 7 Waukegan opens gift from firefighters with his mom KarmishGilmore pediatric unit VistMedical Center East Waukegan Friday Dec. 21

Justin Hall, 7, of Waukegan opens a gift from firefighters with his mom Karmisha Gilmore in the pediatric unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

WAUKEGAN — Late December is not only the time of year when Christmas presents lift a child’s spirits, but it’s also the season when respiratory infections can take a turn for the worse and land a toddler in the hospital. Fortunately for children like 1-year-old …