Katy Area Fire Departments Join Forces for 7th Annual Chief Santa's Toy Drive
Chief Santa’s Toy Drive in Katy was another huge success this past weekend, distributing a giant “sleigh” full of new toys to children across the community.
Since mid-November, Harris County ESD No. 48 Fire Department, Willowfork Fire Department, Westlake Volunteer Fire Department, and Community Volunteer Fire Department have been diligently collecting toy donations across the Katy area to bring holiday cheer to children from infants to teens. This community-centered initiative was created in 2017, growing in excited participation each year.
Chief Santa's Toy Drive collaborates with local non-profit organizations and charity programs to provide toys to children less fortunate during the holidays, with participating fire stations serving as donation drop-off sites. This year, Chief Santa’s Toy Drive collaborated with Texas Children’s Hospital – West Campus, Katy Christian Ministries, Katy Elks Lodge 2628 Military Veteran Families, HEB Veteran Administration Military Families, Hope City - Hope for Christmas, and D & S Community.
All of their efforts culminated this past weekend, when multiple fire trucks and ambulances from Harris County ESD No. 48 Fire Department and Willowfork Fire Department loaded up toys for delivery at Texas Children’s Hospital – West Campus on Saturday morning. Then on Sunday, December 17, Harris County ESD 48 Fire Department partnered with Los Camaradas MC for the second year in a row to deliver another bulk of toys. The toys were loaded up on fire trucks at the Harris County ESD 48 Fire Department administration building, then driven to Katy Christian Ministries to be distributed to families in need.
Willowfork Fire Department firetruck arriving at Texas Children's Hospital - West Campus on Saturday, December 16 for one of the Chief Santa's Toy Drive deliveries. (Photo Source: HCESD No. 48 FD)
The Los Camaradas MC is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2019. Since their inception, they have participated in or organized over 20 charity events amongst the areas in which their chapters reside, including this year’s toy drive with Harris County ESD 48 Fire Department. The club collected toys at local events, while HCESD 48 Fire Department stations collected at each location. Their goal was to bring smiles to the faces of children on Christmas morning.
“We're just a group of guys from all walks of life who were looking to be a part of something bigger than themselves. We started participating in Chief Santa's Toy Drive last year and all of our members put forth a lot of effort to both collect and purchase toys to help other families have a good Christmas. It's a great feeling and something we will joyfully continue to do," said Jacob F. "Kane", Westside Chapter Secretary.
As we reflect on another successful year of the Chief Santa’s Toy Drive, let's carry forward this spark of kindness and generosity into the upcoming year, reminding us all of the true meaning of the season.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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