THUNDER BAY – Paul Penna says he was worried last year.
As usual, the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters set up shop at Intercity Shopping Centre, collecting money for the annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Penna said he had no idea what to expect, the city a year ago in the midst of a COVID-19 surge that made many wary of venturing into crowded malls.
The response floored him, the fundraising campaign collecting $144,000.
Clearly the Thunder Bay public continues to see the importance of giving children a present to wake up to on Christmas morning, something they might not receive if Toys for Tots wasn’t in place.
“The need just seems to get bigger every year,” Penna said. “There are more children living in less fortunate circumstances and for us to be able to make a difference in so many of those children’s live every year – well we do it with the help of Thunder Bay, of course.”
It’s a tradition firefighters look forward to year after year, volunteering their time to collect donations at Intercity Shopping Centre, their way of helping ensure no child goes without each holiday season.
Last year, 3,950 children benefited from the program.
No donation is too big or too small, Penna said.
“Every donation, big or small, can make a difference in a child’s life this Christmas. Thunder Bay Firefighters hope to be among Santa’s biggest helpers, so children can receive a gift this December,” Penna said.
“Supporting the local community is important to us. Help the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association give a Christmas every child deserves.”
One hundred per cent of all proceeds collected go to children in need, Penna added.
To donate, there are a number of options, including on online portal at www.tbaytoysfortots.ca. The temporary fire station at Intercity Shopping Centre can be found adjacent to the food court, or donations can be made at any TD Bank branch location in Thunder Bay.
“Our guys will be standing there for most of the mall hours. People can come donate and we have a debit machine, so we accept bank cards as well as Visa or MasterCards – or cash,” Penna said. “And we’ll submit tax receipts to people.”
