The Lake Cowichan Firefighters are running their Food and Toy Drive again this year in support of the Cowichan Lake Community Services Christmas Hampers program.
The local firefighters have been running the Food and Toy Drive for the past four years and firefighter Steve Johnson says in that time they have raised $7,746, along with a ton of toys and food.
“We just felt that there was a real need to help out the Community Services Christmas Hampers,” Johnson said. “No one wants a child or their families to go without at this time of year. Or at any time, for that matter.”
The Lake Cowichan Firefighters have been partnering with the community services to help make Christmas a better time for families whose limited budgets don’t allow for anything extra at Christmas. Johnson says he finds the community services and their volunteers do an outstanding job of organizing the event.
“Firefighters like to help others, it’s part of the job,” added Johnson. “The community supports us, so we (want to) support the community.”
This year, the firefighters are offering a pick-up service to facilitate donations for anyone who has mobility problems. If anyone would like to make a donation between now and Dec. 14, and if they can’t make it down to Country Grocer where the donations are being collected, Johnson says they can call the firehall and someone will come to their house.
To contact the fire hall, phone 250-749-3522 or call Steve Johnson at 250-749-4192, or Ray Bourassa at 749-3955.
All donations of cash, non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for children up to 18 years of age will be collected Dec. 14 and 15 at Country Grocer.