Collingwood firefighters were part of a chain of charity that led to gifts for every single student at a local school.
The toys came from the Toronto Firefighters Toy Drive, which annually receives mountains of donations.
Chris Ferguson and the other members of the Collingwood Professional Firefighters Association work with school staff and teachers to send a wishlist to the Toronto Firefighters accounting for every student in a local school and pick up the gifts.
This year, the Collingwood firefighters delivered 213 gifts from the Toronto warehouse to be given in Collingwood, and a teacher from the school helped top up the supply to make sure the upper grade also received gifts.
The teachers and staff from the school took on the job of sorting and wrapping each gift and Ferguson and the duty crew arrived at the school on Friday before Christmas break to deliver the gift.
"We have the easy job," said Ferguson. "We just show up on the day and deliver them to the kids."
Every student, regardless of their family’s financial status received a wrapped gift.
“It’s kind of hard to put into words,” said Ferguson of the experience. “Overall it’s a pretty wonderful experience to see the kids light up when you come in with presents. You know on Christmas morning some of them might not get anything, or very little gifts.”
Ferguson said he’s looking forward to doing it all again next year.
The Collingwood Fire Department also receives gift donations from the community, most of which are sent to the Salvation Army for Christmas gifts for families in need.
The Collingwood Professional Firefighters Association has been giving out gifts at a local school for approximately seven years.
The school has not been named to protect the privacy of the students.
