It’s going to be a bright Christmas for many kids, thanks to the Township of Nipissing Fire Department and Recreation Committee. Once again, the Annual Christmas Run is about to depart, and the fire trucks will be loaded with toys and cheer for the kids.
The event takes place this Saturday, December 9, with the fire truck departing from the station at 8 a.m. This year the truck will be stopping at 59 homes and giving gifts to 110 children. Families sign up in the fall for the Christmas Run, and volunteers – and generous local donors – buy the gifts for the kids.
“It started as a children’s Christmas party at the Community Centre in 1981,” explained Fire Chief Will Bateman. During the pandemic, the party turned into the run, and the event worked out so well, organizers decided to keep the house-to-house delivery method.
This Saturday, a fire truck will pull up to a home on the list and as if that’s not exciting enough for a little kid, but Sparky the fire dog will be there too, as will two elves and Santa himself is helping to deliver the presents.
“We have elves, we have the Grinch, we have a reindeer,” as well, the Chief added. It’s an entire cast of Christmas favourites delivering the seasonal cheer. “Some of the little kids are scared,” the Chief noted, “but most are so excited. They hear the fire trucks coming, and the Christmas music playing, and it’s amazing. The firefighters just love it.”
Since the event began in 1981, its very established within the community, and many businesses donate to the cause. “When a business donates, the elves and the Grinch go to the business and take photos, and we promote the business for 24 days, right up until Christmas.”
Those photos are posted on the Nipissing Township Fire Department’s Facebook page.
Delivering the toys and seeing the smiles “is absolutely amazing,” Chief Bateman said. “We can’t thank our firefighters, volunteers, and sponsors enough.”
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
