“Drive-by” toy drive at all Surrey fire halls – November 25-30

THE Surrey Fire Fighters Association and the Surrey Christmas Bureau hope everyone will join them in a six-day toy drive to help fill its toy shelves in time for Christmas.

Each year, the Surrey Christmas Bureau helps thousands of local families by providing toys for Surrey kids. Saverio Lattanzio of the Surrey Firefighters Association said his members are ready to accept toy donations at each of Surrey’s neighbourhood fire halls from November 25-30.

“Surrey’s firefighters are looking forward to helping our community fill the Christmas Bureau’s shelves and delivering some Christmas surprises for local kids who might miss out if we all don’t help out this year,” said Lattanzio on Wednesday. “Through our various community programs, our firefighters know just how generous Surrey residents are throughout the year. I know our community will make this special toy drive equally successful as we all pitch in for the kids and their families. These are our neighbours and I know we can all make a difference for them this Christmas. If we do this together, we can make sure 2020 ends on a high note for so many families.”

“We’re expecting even more families this year,” said Lisa Werring, Executive Director of the Surrey Christmas Bureau. “So many families are really feeling the economic impact of the COVID virus and they’re counting on our help, so this special toy drive will really help us fill our shelves and make Christmas special for a lot of Surrey children. We’re looking for unwrapped toys for boys and girls of all ages, from infants to age 18. Then, once we’ve filled our shelves, we invite registered families to come and shop for toys for their children.”

“It’s been a particularly tough year for so many of our Surrey families,” noted Surrey Councillor Linda Annis, who supports the drive and challenges all city councillors and residents to bring a toy to their local fire hall before the end of the month. “With COVID-19 and the tough economic times facing so many people right across our community, we’re hoping Surrey will step up and help its Christmas Bureau fill its toy shelves by dropping off a toy at their nearest Surrey fire hall anytime from now until the 30th.”

Annis added she hopes families will drive by and donate together so that it’s a family affair.

“We live in an incredible community with so much to be thankful for,” said Annis. “This is one of those events and times when we can really help other Surrey families who are feeling the pinch because of COVID and the tough times it has delivered. It’s also a chance to show children how good it feels to help our neighbours.”

For more information about the Surrey Christmas Bureau, visit online at christmasbureau.com.