Image: Chilliwack River Valley Fire Dept./CRV Firefighters Society / Chilliwack River Valley firefighters at Canadian Tire. Over $12,000 worth of toys has already been collected so that Chilliwack-area children in need will experience the magic of Christmas this holiday season, thanks to the efforts of the Chilliwack River Valley Society firefighters. These donations will be delivered to the Salvation Army on Wednesday, Dec. 18. There will be one final collection day to receive toys this Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the CRVFD fire hall, 48685 Chilliwack Lake Road.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Christmas toy drive

Chilliwack River Valley firefighters give back by gathering over $12,000 in toys for Christmas toy drive

Dec 18, 2024 | 6:45 AM

CHILLIWACK — The newly formed Chilliwack River Valley Firefighters Society set out with a mission in 2024 to give back to the community they serve in tangible, meaningful ways.

Toward that end, board members Joshua Sawyer and Brad O’Hara submitted a proposal to launch the “Firefighters for Kids Christmas Toy Drive” to support Chilliwack-area families in need and bring joy and smiles to children during the holiday season.

The toy drive officially began on November 30 at the Chilliwack River Valley Fire Hall on Chilliwack Lake Road, where firefighters collected donations on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings.

Thanks to the magnanimous support of the Mount Cheam Rotary Club and the community impact grant committee, the society received a $3,000 community impact grant to bring the initiative to fruition. Firefighters specifically thanked Star 98.3 FM for promoting the event.

Fast forward to December 8 when the society’s valued partners at Greendale Acres hosted a special event and donated four season passes for a raffle to facilitate toy donations.

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CRVFD firefighters also partnered with Mark at Abbotsford Canadian Tire to stretch every donated dollar a little more, thereby doubling the impact and enabling the society to assist even more families in the Chilliwack community.

Image: Chilliwack River Valley Firefighters Society / Canadian Tire partnered with the Chilliwack River Valley Firefighters Society to stretch donated dollars even further, to provide even more toys for Chilliwack-area families in need.

“We are truly grateful to everyone who has supported this initiative. Together, we are making the holidays brighter and spreading the true spirit of giving this Christmas season!” Sawyer said.

Sawyer says over $12,000 worth of toys has already been collected so that Chilliwack-area children in need will experience the magic of Christmas this holiday season. These donations will be delivered to the Salvation Army on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Image: Chilliwack River Valley Firefighters Society

The good news is, there’s still time to contribute. This Saturday, Dec. 21 marks the final collection day at the Chilliwack River Valley Fire Hall (48685 Chilliwack Lake Road). Firefighters will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon to receive donated toys. All donors will be entered into a draw for four Greendale Acres season passes, with the draw happening at noon.