On Tuesday, December 19th, members of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department along with a special guest, Santa Clause, made a trip to visit a very special girl in our first due. Olivia Wolcott, 6 years old, was recently released from Georgetown Hospital on Saturday, December 16th, after spending over a month recovery from a liver transplant. During the summer Olivia was diagnosed with a rare liver disorder that was caused by a missing portal vein that was supposed to be in her liver. This disorder caused her to have extreme cases of shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. The doctor’s told the family that the only cure for this disorder would be a liver transplant.

The journey began on October 31st after the Wolcott’s received the phone call they had waited so long for. A match had been found and they needed to get Olivia to Georgetown Hospital so they could begin to prepare her for this life-saving surgery. The surgery was schedule for the following day, November 1st. She spent hours in surgery while the doctor’s completed the transplant. The family learned that the surgery was a success but they encountered a minor setback a few days after. Olivia still has some bleeding in her stomach and they doctor’s would need to perform a second surgery to correct this issue.

Olivia spent the following weeks in the hospital recovering from the transplant. Day-by-day progress was being mad and her body was getting stronger. She loved receiving the countless number of cards that was sent to her while she was still at Georgetown. Even though it was such a small token of ‘get well wishes’ they would put a smile on her face every time she would open an envelope.

On Saturday, December 16th, Olivia was finally well enough to be released from Georgetown and was able to come home. Although she is getting stronger every single day, she still has a long road ahead of her.

Our annual Christmas party was held on Sunday, December 17th. Many members of the department and ladies auxiliary attended and a great time was had by all. The past few years, the department has collected money that we would donate to a family in need. There was no question this year on who would receive this donation. Oliva’s father, Dennis, was a past Fire Chief of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department and a past member of our own department. He is also a Communication Specialist Supervisor for the St. Mary’s County 911 Center. This family has always been there for others during their time of need and their call for help should never go unanswered.

Olivia was in awe when she saw the firetrucks coming down her street as she looked out of the window of her house. Little did she know that Santa Clause was coming along with us to deliver the family with a small token of thoughts and prayers. Santa even brought a few gifts for the special girl herself. He told her that, unlike her father, she was on the nice list and he had a few early presents that his little helpers made her at the North Pole. She received warm clothes to play outside when it snows, a water bottle, a Barbie doll, a purse, and a few stuffed animals she can hold tight when she is having a bad day. It was nice to see the smile back on Olivia’s face after all she had been through.

The members of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary would like to let the Wolcott’s know that they are in our thoughts and prayers during this stressful time.

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family with medical and travel expenses that occurred over the past few months. Please help this deserving family in their time of need.