Christmas programs serve many

Sisters' spirit of giving was on full display over the Christmas holiday.

Thanks to generous donations of gifts and money over the past six weeks, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire and Ambulance Association was able to provide Christmas gifts to 157 children for Christmas. Gifts were available to children age newborn to seniors in high school of low-income families who live within the Sisters or Black Butte School districts. Gifts were distributed to families on Saturday, December 22, along with gift certificates for food from Sisters Kiwanis Club, and pet food and gifts from Furry Friends Foundation. Total families served this year for all three programs was 166.

Furry Friends Foundation reported serving 446 pets on December 22, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, rabbits, hamsters, turtles, birds (dove, parakeets, cockatiel, chickens and peacocks) and one beta fish.

"All in all it was a fantastic day. I joked to a friend it was like we set up large pet pop-up store, or make that a "pup-up" store," said FFF founder Kiki Dolson. "In addition to pet food, there were pet beds, toys, chews and treats. There were colorful cat mats and dog coats handmade by Valerie Fercho-Tillery. Heartwarmers had given us a huge bag of dog tug toys made from their blanket scraps.

"The people who came were so appreciative, it really is a joy to volunteer that day. One individual sent a lengthy text shortly after returning home, voicing his surprise and gratitude after a difficult year for his family. It brought a tear to more than one of us," Dolson said.

On Christmas Day, The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association volunteers and staff prepared and served a traditional Christmas dinner to 126 people at the Sisters Fire Station Community Hall.

"We had a great turnout of volunteers who helped cook, serve and clean after the event," reported Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Public Information Officer Julie Spor.