Some Valley Workers Sacrifice Christmas to Serve Others

December 25, 2012 Updated Dec 25, 2012 at 7:11 PM PDT

We caught up with those who sacrifice their own holiday festivities to serve others.

For many workers across the Valley, even on Christmas Day, the job is never done.

Fresno Fire Captain, Dan Perkins says, "There are still fires, there are still car accidents, we still have flooding. That's what our operation is. We're 365, 24/7."

As Fresno Fire Captain Dan Perkins and his three man crew prepared a Christmas feast, the call of duty rang.

Firefighter Carlton Jones says, "Matter of a fact, we have to go. If you want to grab that camera we're going to be on our way to a fire."

So, the firefighters geared up and took off.

"It's part of service. You know, the accidents happen and it doesn't matter if it's Christmas or not. I'm truly grateful to be the helper," says Jones.

There's also no lack of Christmas service inside the Fig Garden Retirement Home.

Housekeeper Mary Gonzales says, "I love my job. It doesn't matter what holiday it is."

People like Mary Gonzales gave up time with their own families, to make the holiday a little more special for others.

"It's giving. I mean there's no reason to be greedy on this day," says Gonzales.

Fig Garden resident Jeanne Cardoza says, "If I wasn't here I might not have anybody to take care of me, so and all these people that work here take care of us."

And then there's the clerks manning the convenience stores and gas stations helping everyone get to their holiday destination.

Am/Pm worker Sonia Guzman says, "The business is open 24 hours. It's my schedule. I'm lucky because I have work."

Terry Wallard says, "They're here if we need what we need, but I still don't appreciate the fact that they have to work."

But, it's not so bad for those who pride themselves on serving the community, everyday of the year.

Jones says, "To me it is a blessing to be able to work and serve people."

"I woke up this morning and my wife's texting me pictures of my sons opening up all these gifts. It's always a bittersweet type of thing, but you know that you're doing something for the greater good," says Perkins.