Toys for Tots breaks record with 2024 campaign

Thunder Bay's annual Toys for Tots campaign is celebrating a record-breaking year.

The 2024 campaign brought in more than $180,000, all of which will be used to purchase toys for children in need, a few thousand more than was raised in 2023.

"Last year we were amazed with our $177,000," said Dylan Patterson, Thunder Bay firefighter and Toys for Tots campaign co-chair. "This year we can go that little extra mile, right? Make sure everybody gets something that's needed."

The money is donated to Christmas Cheer's toy program.

"Every child that is registered will receive toys through this funds," said Christmas Cheer chair Jill Thompson. "We're planning for next year, so this will go to our next year's campaign."

Thompson said this year's toys were handed out last week at the CLE Coliseum building.

"It's incredible," she said of the pick-up events. "We had lots of very grateful people, thanked us for all we do, appreciative of the items that they get."

The Toys for Tots campaign raises funds in a number of ways. Firefighters accept donations at a booth set up at Intercity Shopping Centre (this year, 175 firefighters, including retired firefighters, volunteered).

A booth was also set up at Goods and Co. market, and donations were accepted from other Thunder Bay businesses and organizations, including the Kam River Fighting Walleye, Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, Canadian Tire, George's Market and Celebrations, Ashley HomeStore, and the Waterfront District.

Firefighters also collected donations during their annual Serving Day at Boston Pizza.

"It's overwhelming," Patterson said. "People in the city, they're reaching out to us, saying we want to donate, we want to do something to help you guys."

"I'd like to thank everybody who does that for us."