Christmas can be a stressful time for parents and children living below the poverty line.
It can be especially traumatic for children when they wake up Christmas morning, only to learn Santa skipped a stop on his annual route, despite making his way to the homes of all their classmates.
For more than seven decades Thunder Bay firefighters have stepped in to fill the gap, volunteering for the Toys for Tots campaign.
Last year their effort helped raise $153,000, which was used to buy age-appropriate gifts for children in need throughout the city.
It’s a shame for any child to go without on Christmas, says Paul Penna, who took over as chairman of the Toys for Tots campaign this year.
“There is a huge need in Thunder Bay. It’s important because it comes down to humanity. We all know how important when we were children how important a Christmas present was and how important Christmas was,” Penna said.
“I just can’t imagine going through Christmas without some sort of significant present and that’s what we’re doing for the kids who aren’t so lucky in Thunder Bay.”
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When the campaign first started, firefighters donated their time and skills to repair discarded wooden toys. As time marched on and plastic took over as a main toy component, they decided it made more sense to buy new.
“They just weren’t repairable anymore, and that’s when we started raising funds.
The toys are purchased and distributed through the annual Christmas Cheer campaign, which this year plans to return to its roots and focus on families below the poverty line.
Jolene Kemp, who takes over as the Christmas Cheer chairwoman, says the two campaigns work hand-in-hand.
Children shouldn’t have to go without at any time of year, she added, but especially at Christmas.
“What this does is it puts them on an even keel with everyone else in their classroom, their pre-school or just the fact that their parents are able to feel OK about Christmas. They’re able to give their child something brand new, something exciting and they’re able to see the glee in their eyes. That is remarkable.”
Often it’s a cycle that’s completed when circumstances improve and families who once received help from Christmas Cheer and Toys for Tots are able to contribute to help make another family’s holiday special.
“They come and they say thank you. They say they don’t know what they would have done without us and they are very, very grateful. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about generosity and the giving. They say it’s more important to give than receive. When we give, what we receive in return is unimaginable. You cannot believe the joy,” Kemp said.
The campaign kicked off with a $39,000 donation from local Tim Hortons franchisees, the proceeds from the annual Smile Cookie campaign.
Firefighters will be manning the Toys for Tots booth at Intercity Shopping Centre near the food court between now and Dec. 20. Donations can also be made at any TD branch in Thunder Bay.
Firefighters will also be hosting both a sit-down and takeout spaghetti dinner at the Italian Cultural Centre on Dec. 1 and helping Boston Pizza servers with the lunch and dinner crowds on Dec. 4, the tips collected being turned over to Toys for Tots.
