Owen Sound Firefighters and the Salvation Army have helped hundreds of families put gifts under the Christmas tree this year, thanks to donations from the community.
Members of the city fire department handed out hundreds of bags of toys to families in need at the Heritage Place Shopping Centre Saturday.
Fire Prevention Inspector Doug McEwen helped organize the drive. He says the Salvation Army gave each family numbers corresponding to toys chosen for their kids.
McEwen says the need this year has been greater than last, and while they get a lot of toys for elementary school aged kids, they often use donated funds to buy toys for infants and toddlers, as well as kids 11-16.
McEwen says a puck toss with the Owen Sound Attack is always a successful fundraiser that helps them purchase the toys.
He says this year, the local Tim Hortons approached them and helped with a Smile Cookie campaign that translated into grocery gift cards for families in need. “One of the requests was just to ensure that all the families had a turkey or a ham or something towards a meal on Christmas Day,” says McEwen noting they handed out about 280 gift cards for Food Basics.
He adds, “That wouldn’t have happened without the help of Tim Hortons ownership in Owen Sound here.”
He estimates by the time Christmas Day comes, the fire department alongside the Salvation Army will have given out toys to close to 600 children.
You can still donate in boxes throughout the community or at the fire station during business hours. “We can always use more,” says McEwen.