In what has become an annual holiday tradition, Vancouver Firefighter Charities (VFC) will kick the festive season into high gear this month when it makes a bulk buy of kids and youth sports equipment to be donated to local kids and families as part of its Toys For Kids program.
On November 30, off-duty firefighters will drop by The Sports Exchange at 2151 Burrard St. in Downtown Vancouver to purchase $30,000 worth of hockey sticks and skates, baseball bats and gloves, soccer balls and more that will be then donated to families in need as part of the VFC’s E
ach year the VFC partners with the Lloyd & Elsie Campbell Foundation and the Vancouver Foundation to provide hundreds of wrapped gifts to at-risk youth in the Greater Vancouver community. Presents are collected, packaged and delivered by off-duty firefighters who both pledge funds through regular payroll donations and volunteer their time to help vulnerable children across the Lower Mainland experience the magic of the holiday season.
“The Toys for Kids program was founded on the belief that every child should have a smile on their face for the holidays, and we’re thrilled to see the momentum for this program continue to pick up steam year after year as more people embrace the giving spirit of the season,” says James Docherty, VFC Executive Director. “This year, we’re focusing our efforts not only on supporting a local business but providing sports equipment in addition to toys and games so that kids can more easily participate in individual and organized team sports programs and help alleviate financial concerns for their parents.”
Comprising hundreds of firefighters from halls located throughout Vancouver, VFC raises funds through its voluntary Payroll Donation program to help at-risk and in-need people of all ages not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. VFC members also pledge their time and funds to a number of programs including Sports For Kids and Lifelines For Seniors, among others. In 2021, the VFC’s Payroll Donation program has raised $180,000 to date to benefit its programs.
Last year, VFC donated more than $70,000 worth of toys, games and sporting goods to local families through its Toys for Kids initiative and in 2021 aiming to raise enough funds through payroll deductions and public donations to purchase $125,000 worth of gifts from small businesses in the Greater Vancouver area.
Members of the public are invited to learn more about the Toys for Kids program and contribute to this year’s campaign by visiting vancouverfirefighters.ca/toys-for-kids/.
