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Firefighters collect toys and toonies

Summerland’s firefighters will be out on this Friday evening and Saturday morning “shaking the boot” for donations.

Summerland’s firefighters will be out on this Friday evening and Saturday morning “shaking the boot” for donations to help needy children and teens at Christmas.

It’s the annual Toys and Toonies for Tots and Teens drive organized by local firefighters.

On Friday there will be one or two fire trucks parked downtown in the Main and Victoria area during 24th annual Festival of Lights. About 10 firefighters, in their bright yellow gear, will be there to give tours of the fire trucks, answer questions about the fire department and collect donations of toys and money.

On Saturday morning the firefighters will put on an eggs benedict breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Carrot Top Diner at 9906 Main St.

The meal is by donation.

The collection is for local young people who need help at Christmas.

It’s a joint effort among three organizations: The firefighters are collecting the donated money and toys. The staff at the CIBC will buy the toys and distribute the gifts. The United Church food bank crew will help determine the children in need.

Firefighter Rob Robinson is organizing the Friday Festival of Lights part of the project, and another firefighter, George Pugh, is in charge of the breakfast the next morning.

The public is invited to donate a new, unwrapped toy for a small child and a toonie to help buy gifts and gift cards for teens. Canadian Tire money will also be accepted in donations.