Christmas appeal comes early from firefighters

Late September may seem a little early for a Christmas appeal, but the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District (RFPD) wants local residents to have two months’ notice that more donations of children’s toys and cash will be needed this coming holiday season.

“After more than 20 years of receiving Christmas toys for needy children from the Portland Fire Bureau, we have just been notified that no toys will be available from them this year,” said Dave Wheeler, district fire marshal. “Apparently, their toy donations from retailers are down this year for a variety of reasons and their warehouse supplies are much lower than in past years.”

Each December, the fire district works with the Kiwanis Club of Sisters to bring Christmas joy to children and their families.

“We use the same lists developed by the Kiwanis Club. They prepare the food boxes and we provide clothing contributed by local residents picking ornaments off the Christmas tree displayed at Ray’s Food Place. In the past, we then have added toys for whatever age group we are contributing to, using toys provided by the Portland Fire Bureau.”

Last year, Christmas gifts of clothing with toys added were distributed to 210 local children, Wheeler said.

The fire district hopes to fill in the need for toys by either soliciting cash contributions to buy toys or by having more ornaments on their Christmas tree at Ray’s Food Place requesting toys for a boy or girl of a specific age.

“I know it may be a little early to be thinking of Christmas, but we will be placing our tree right after Thanksgiving and we want local residents to know our needs have increased,” Wheeler said.