THUNDER BAY — After raising a record total of $177,071 in 2023, the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Toys for Tots campaign is once again setting its sights on helping kids during the holidays.
“The need in the community is always growing,” said Dylan Patterson, who is a co-chair for the campaign.
“As long as we can make sure that every child gets something from a toy, to hoodies and socks. Everything that you take for granted as a family at Christmas … people are fighting hard for in this community.
“If everyone is getting something, our goal is always met.”
The 2024 campaign officially launched on Friday at the Intercity Shopping Centre with a donation for $48,419 being presented from Tim Hortons smile cookie campaign.
As a second-generation firefighter Patterson has seen firsthand the importance of the Toys for Tots campaign.
Now he’s helping to lead the way for the annual event, alongside co-chair Rob Wilson.
“History and tradition are at the heart of the fire department,” Patterson said.
“To be a second-generation firefighter and to see something like this campaign carry on strong and always have a great turnout means a lot.”
Patterson and Wilson are taking over the chair role from Paul Penna, who had served in the position for 12 years.
“These two guys (Wilson and Patterson) are a couple of gems,” Penna said.
“They’re eager, they’re willing and they’re capable. They’re going to do a dynamite job.”
When asked what stands out the most from his time as the Toys for Tots chair, Penna remembered a moment when someone came up and shook his hand to thank him for what the firefighters do each year.
“Then he broke down crying and said that he was one of the kids that got toys 35 years ago and that his family got food from the Christmas Cheer fund,” Penna said.
“That had a really big impact on me as I realized that I’m doing something good here with this charity.”
In addition to the donation booths at Intercity and any TD Bank location in the city, a new one is being set up at Goods & Co starting on Dec. 11.
With two locations this year, Wilson said they should definitely be able to top last year's fundraising record.
Local firefighters are also doing their annual visit to Boston Pizza to serve meals on Dec. 11, with all tips supporting the campaign, and they will be attending the Kam River Fighting Walleye’s home game on Dec. 14 against the Sioux Lookout Bombers.
Donations can be made until Dec. 22. More information on the campaign can be found on the Toys for Tots website.
