Record number of families in need attend Calgary firefighters’ Christmas party

The Stampede Corral was packed with over 5,000 people for the annual Calgary Firefighters Toy Association Christmas party on Sunday.

This marks the 50th year the party has been held at the Corral.

It’s normal to have a huge demand for the annual party but this year exceeded expectations.

“This is the most number of families we’ve invited in the years I’ve been doing it and unfortunately, we’re still in the situation of turning away families,” said Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is the most number of families we've invited in the years I've been doing it and unfortunately, we're still in the situation of turning away families," said Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association.

He estimates they had to turn down between 300 and 500 families, adding they saw an increase in referrals this year.  A total of 1,873 families were invited.

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READ MORE: Hundreds of families turned away from Calgary firefighters’ Christmas party 

“It’s difficult but it is the size of the venue. We would entertain going to another venue but this works so well for us and it just gives us that close-knit Christmas party feel,” Blayney said.

The firefighters’ party is funded through payroll deductions, so they haven’t had a problem with funding the event this year. However, toy donations are down.

The party includes entertainment, lunch, gifts and a visit from Santa Claus.

Melinda McCullough was at the party with her son.

“It helps so many families. It’s amazing. I’m so happy that they are doing this for everybody.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It helps so many families. It's amazing. I'm so happy that they are doing this for everybody.

“It’s sad,” McCullough said. “Even the food bank right now — I’ve seen some of the people go there and it’s so packed, it’s so sad. Everybody needs to start giving more. Whoever has the money, please help other people. They say it’s getting better, but when?”

Families are referred to the Christmas party by Calgary’s two school boards and The Salvation Army.

READ MORE: Calgary-area non-profits seeing increased need but decrease in donations this holiday season

The association started hosting the event in the mid 1900s when firefighters repaired used toys and donated them to underprivileged kids.

Volunteers for the party include active and retired Calgary firefighters, who help raise $50,000 each year for the event.

— With files from Global’s Bindu Suri