Firefighters, community provide local families with special Christmas
Published on Fri, Dec 30, 2011 by BY PAM STEVENS | MANAGING EDITORRead More Local News
Each year Granite Falls Firefighters and their wives collect donations for their annual Christmas House, which provides local families who need help providing Christmas gifts for their kids.
In 2010 firefighters raised over $6,000 and bought over 550 toys to ensure local kids woke up to presents under their Christmas tree.
This year the Granite Falls community went even further and donated over $10,000 which paid for presents for over 520 kids.
“We also received gently used coats and clothing from the middle school,” firefighter Doug Cassidy said.
On Saturday, Dec. 10 parents lined up outside Station 17 to “shop” for their children. With the help of firefighters and their wives, parents loaded up their sacks with balls, skateboards, dolls and many other items.
“We don’t focus on individual families,” firefighter Chris Burt said. “Hopefully every kid is at least getting a toy.”
Families who live within the Granite Falls School District are eligible to use the Christmas House.
Fred Meyer in Snohomish opens their doors each year to the “shoppers” and allows firefighters to collect toys and money at the door while the ladies are shopping inside the store. They also provide the fire department with a $30 gift card for every $500 they spend giving them the opportunity to help even more kids.
“Fred Meyer has been overwhelmingly accommodating and bring in extra staff to help us,” firefighter Rick Ainley said.
Although the need in Granite Falls was even greater this year, the community was able to bring more smiles to kid’s faces through their generosity.
“We are so appreciative of the Granite Falls Community!
This year has been the best outpouring of generosity between cash donations and toys. We live in an awesome town,” Karen Glover, firefighter wife and organizer said. “Providing toys for children in Granite Falls is a way that the Firefighters can give to their community and help those families in need.”
Smiles and “thank-yous” abound every year but the best part of helping families is seeing them return in future years with donations of their own.
“Every year we have a family come in and say, ‘you helped us out last year when we were having a rough time--things are going a little better for us this year and we want to give back.’ These folks will donate toys or gently used clothing.” Glover said. “The great other part is when you see the smile or tears when you give those parents toys for their children.”
In 2010 firefighters raised over $6,000 and bought over 550 toys to ensure local kids woke up to presents under their Christmas tree.
This year the Granite Falls community went even further and donated over $10,000 which paid for presents for over 520 kids.
“We also received gently used coats and clothing from the middle school,” firefighter Doug Cassidy said.
On Saturday, Dec. 10 parents lined up outside Station 17 to “shop” for their children. With the help of firefighters and their wives, parents loaded up their sacks with balls, skateboards, dolls and many other items.
“We don’t focus on individual families,” firefighter Chris Burt said. “Hopefully every kid is at least getting a toy.”
Families who live within the Granite Falls School District are eligible to use the Christmas House.
Fred Meyer in Snohomish opens their doors each year to the “shoppers” and allows firefighters to collect toys and money at the door while the ladies are shopping inside the store. They also provide the fire department with a $30 gift card for every $500 they spend giving them the opportunity to help even more kids.
“Fred Meyer has been overwhelmingly accommodating and bring in extra staff to help us,” firefighter Rick Ainley said.
Although the need in Granite Falls was even greater this year, the community was able to bring more smiles to kid’s faces through their generosity.
“We are so appreciative of the Granite Falls Community!
This year has been the best outpouring of generosity between cash donations and toys. We live in an awesome town,” Karen Glover, firefighter wife and organizer said. “Providing toys for children in Granite Falls is a way that the Firefighters can give to their community and help those families in need.”
Smiles and “thank-yous” abound every year but the best part of helping families is seeing them return in future years with donations of their own.
“Every year we have a family come in and say, ‘you helped us out last year when we were having a rough time--things are going a little better for us this year and we want to give back.’ These folks will donate toys or gently used clothing.” Glover said. “The great other part is when you see the smile or tears when you give those parents toys for their children.”
