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Firefighters launch annual Toys for Tots campaign

Campaign looking to raise $150,000 or more and donations can be made by the food court at Intercity Shopping Centre.

THUNDER BAY – Every child should get to open at least one present on Christmas morning.

That’s the philosophy of the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters, who for decades have been operating the annual Toys for Tots campaign in the city, providing gifts to up to 4,000 children in need through the Christmas Cheer program.

They say Toys for Tots is needed in the city now more than ever.

“People have fallen on hard times. For us, that’s why we do it. Firefighters, when they get called out, they’re almost always trying to help somebody. So Toys for Tots is us getting into the community even more, volunteering our own time and taking care of families who have fallen on hard times,” said firefighter Paul Penna.

“It’s hard to put in words how important it is, but we do it because we love to do it.”

Money for this year’s effort was collected last year and Penna says they’re hoping to collect at least $150,000 to help cover the costs of next year’s gift giveaway.

A collection of volunteer buyers use the money to purchase toys and other gifts for the recipients, whose age and gender have been provided.

“When we buy toys for them, we know we’re giving specifically to someone. There’s nothing complicated about Toys for Tots. We put in our month-and-a-bit, the guys volunteer hundreds and hundreds of hours at the mall and it’s become a tradition for lots of families to come down, visit the firefighters, write a cheque or drop in a 20 or a 50,” Penna said.

“Some children even bring their coins in that they’ve been saving all year. It’s pretty neat.”

Firefighters will be on hand at their traditional firehouse, set up just outside the food court area at Intercity Shopping Centre.

Donations of any size are welcome.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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