THUNDER BAY – Despite the challenges of fundraising in a pandemic, the 2020 Toys for Tots campaign proved to be a success, collecting $144,000.
The money, $10,000 more than was raised in 2019, will be used to provide toys for 3,950 children , who otherwise might have gone without at Christmas.
The generosity of the public was amazing, said Toys for Tots chair Paul Penna.
“It was absolutely amazing to see Thunder Bay come through during such an uncertain year. The Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters' Association knew from the very start of the 2020 campaign that this was going to be one of our most important years yet in Toys for Tots history, with the need being even greater than ever before,” Penna said.
"The community really stepped up to make this year’s initiative a true success and bring smiles to thousands of kids in Thunder Bay for Christmas.”
Toys for Tots has been in operation for more than 70 years, with upward of 175 off-duty firefighters volunteering their time each year.
All of the money stays in Thunder Bay.
