Toys for Tots achieves unprecedented fundraising success, collecting a remarkable $177,000.

The Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association’s annual Toys for Tots campaign, which raised over $177,000 this year, is set to provide funds for purchasing thousands of gifts for the upcoming Christmas Cheer program. Toys for Tots Chair Paul Penna expressed astonishment at the staggering amount, announcing the record-setting total at Intercity Shopping Centre on Friday

“I thought about the 4,300 kids that we helped out with the money,” Penna said. “You can’t fit 4,300 people into Fort William Gardens. When that’s a packed house, that’s a lot of people. So it just feels so good at Christmastime to be able to help kids that really need it.”

Penna is uncertain about the specific reasons for their exceptional success this year, but he has consistently regarded Thunder Bay as one of the most generous communities in all of Canada.

This year, that generosity was abundantly evident.

“The number is higher than ever before, but our need is also higher than ever before. I don’t know why, or how, it happened, but it happened and we’re happy about that.”

Throughout the years, Toys for Tots has contributed gifts to over 40,000 children and amassed a total fundraising amount exceeding $1.46 million.

This year, Christmas Cheer distributed 8,500 hampers, setting a new record.

“There are people that are working who just can’t make ends meet, based on the cost of everything. Our hamper boxes were overflowing – the turkeys, fresh fruit, the vegetables. They make a difference for us. The icing on the cake today was seeing what Team Red is going to start with in 2024,” said Kemp, who is handing over the Christmas Cheer reins to her niece, Jill Thompson.

“They’re going to start with over $177,000, a record, so they’ll be able to purchase wonderful toys and gifts for the children in 2024. It’s absolutely wonderful.”