The annual Fill the Trucks Toy Drive at Canadian Tire proved to be a big success.
Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, Estevan RCMP and Estevan Police Service were at the Canadian Tire in Estevan on Saturday for the initiative, which supports the Community Hamper Association’s Angel Tree program.
Fire and police vehicles were parked in front of Canadian Tire, with their lights flashing. People purchased a toy from the store, and dropped it off in a trailer supplied by Derek Young with Signal Direct.
Cash donations were also accepted.
Fire Chief Dale Feser said the trailer was needed because it would minimize contact with people and gifts. Normally the gifts would be stored in a fire truck. People could still take a look at the fire truck’s exterior tools and compartments, but they couldn’t tour the inside.
Feser said the fire department has done this for several years, and they believe it was important to do it again this year to support the Community Hamper Association and the Angel Tree during a year of great need.
“They do amazing work here, and they’re indicating that there’s going to be quite a few more applicants this year, so it’s nice to always be able to help out, and hopefully help everybody have a Merry Christmas. You don’t want to have people making a choice where they’re going to have a Christmas meal versus buying Christmas presents.”
If the hamper association is short of toys, the fire department will purchase additional toys.
The toys were taken to an area where they will be stored. Later this month, those toys, and others collected through the Angel Tree, will be spread out in the basement of St. Giles Anglican Church for the Toy Store. Adult hamper recipients with a child or children will be able to visit the toy store and select a toy for each child.
The Angel Tree will be located at Walmart, Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual and Your Toy Store and More for another week.
