There’s a little something different about the firetruck shopping carts at the Wandermere Fred Meyer store – they’ve been decorated and numbered to match the real Spokane County Fire District 9 fire trucks that respond to calls at the store.

A little artistic license has been taken with two of the trucks, which have been painted pink for breast cancer awareness. The carts provide a fun place for children to ride while parents to their shopping.

Doing the carts was the idea of Capt. Christian Livecchi, who noticed that the old fire truck shopping carts at the store were falling apart. He got permission from the fire chief and the store to do the project and the district’s Firefighters Benevolent Association paid for the $1,300 project.

“I thought it would be kind of cool,” Livecchi said. “We’ve had a good response so far.”

In addition to providing a new look, firefighters also tightened bolts and put on new wheels, bringing new life to the carts.

Livecchi said the community is important to the district, which is largely funded by bonds and levies approved by voters. He said its important for the community to see the district and its firefighters in a positive light.

“We always try to be involved in the community,” Livecchi said. “We try to do little things.”

The district’s Benevolent Association, founded five years ago, is funded by monthly contributions from the firefighters themselves. The money is usually used to assist people who need help, particularly after a fire or crash. Recently the association donated $1,000 to a boy with autism who had a service dog that needed an expensive surgery, Livecchi said.

Working with Fred Meyer was easy because the district already has a relationship with the store, he said. Firefighters do Christmas shopping at the store every year as part of their Christmas on Fire program that gives gifts to local needy children.

“We’ve actually had a good working relationship with Fred Meyer,” Livecchi said.

While the new shopping carts are good publicity for the district, they also give a boost to the store.

“We believe strongly in taking care of the local businesses,” he said.

Livecchi’s efforts are sure to be enjoyed by kids excited to be riding around in a fire engine, even if it is a little bit smaller than normal.