Rocky View County (RVC) Fire Services once again provided a helping hand to the Magic of Christmas this holiday season.
Firefighters in RVC were collecting toys until Dec. 21 on behalf of the Magic of Christmas – a Calgary-based charity that distributes donations to people who are coping with emotional, physical or financial stressors.
According to firefighter Justin Davidson, this was the fourth year RVC Fire Services has taken part in the annual toy drive.
“We actually get a trailer and one of our push buggies, and we’re usually able to load up the whole trailer,” he said. “We take it all to Station 107 in Balzac and the Magic of Christmas picks it up there.
“We’ve had some really good years, and this year, with COVID, we’re hoping we can beat all the other years.”
All four of RVC Fire Services’ fulltime stations – Springbank 102, Elbow Valley 101, Balzac 107 and Bearspaw 103 – had drop-off bins where residents could bring their toy donations. Davidson said the gift recipients will be anywhere from one to 16 years old.
According to its website, the Magic of Christmas originated in 1983. Since then, the organization has grown to more than 650 volunteers.
Every Christmas Eve, according to themagicofchristmas.org, the charity’s volunteers transform donated Calgary Transit buses into Santa’s reindeer and bring holiday cheer and gifts to more than 4,500 people in hospitals, care homes and other institutions. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative has been modified, though volunteers will still deliver the gifts to recipients’ doorsteps in time for Christmas.
Davidson said the annual toy drive is another way for firefighters to contribute to the betterment of their community.
“I think firefighters sign up to help people and this is just another way to actually give back to the community,” he said.
“I’d definitely like to thank the community members who have helped us in the past and we look forward to working with everyone in the future.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
