The Stampede Corral was packed with more than 5,000 people enjoying the the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association’s annual children’s Christmas party.
For over 45 years, Calgary firefighters have volunteered their time to keep up the tradition for children who are less fortunate.
“They’ve been non-stop talking about it,” Amira Jinkerson, who was there with her six-year-old daughter, said. “I get AISH benefits, so trying to get them what they want is a little bit difficult.”
The Calgary Firefighters Toy Association is used to seeing a lot of demand for their annual party at the Corral, but never have they had to turn down so many families.
“The demand this year has been off the charts,” Jamie Blayney, with the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association, said.
Blayney said they cap the event at 1,800 families because of the size of the Corral, but he estimates this year, they had to turn down between 300 and 500 families.
“I recall years where we’ve gone up to 1,800 families to accommodate those few at the end but never a year like this, where we’ve seen referrals come in and the numbers that they have. It’s hard. We are the size that we are. I would love to do 5,000 families, but unfortunately I just can’t expand the event to accommodate that many families,” Blayney said.
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The party includes entertainment, lunch, gifts and a visit from Santa Claus. Many parents say this party goes a long way in reducing some of the stress they are going through.
Robyn Hall used to work as a painter before she was laid off.
“It’s hard. If it wasn’t for this and an organization to help us out with Christmas gifts, I wouldn’t have really had anything for her (daughter),” Hall said.
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“I think it’s absolutely wonderful to do that for all the families and to be able to get us out and socialize a bit over Christmas. I mean, if it weren’t for these guys, we wouldn’t have any parties to go to,” Julie Martin, who was laid off in April, said. “So things have been really tight and really tough, so I’m looking every day but like everybody else, we’re all wearing the same shoes, so it’s really nice to experience something like this.”
The firefighters party is funded through payroll deductions, so they’ve had no problem funding the event this year. However, other groups have had to come looking to the firefighters for help.
“We’ve seen a demand from other charities coming to us to ask for toys we’re not using for our program and that has gone up this year. So we pass on toys to probably another 15 to 18 charities. We are really feeling the pinch for toys this year,” Blayney said.
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While the party and the gifts are great, some of the parents at the event said just knowing others are looking out for you is the best present of all.
“I like it because it gives people a chance to see how nice they are and it also shows that people actually care,” Amira Jinkerson said.
“Firefighters are the heroes of the country. They are the people who are saving our lives and they are setting the best example for the kids,” Shakeel Joseph, who came to the party with his wife and three children, said.
Families are referred to the Christmas party by Calgary’s two public school boards and The Salvation Army.
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