NORTH RIVER, N.S. — For Adrienne MacKay and Trevor Lynds, giving is healing.
And their spirit of giving will ensure three North River families in need will enjoy Christmas, thanks to firefighters ‘Stuff a Truck’ campaign, held Dec. 1.
“My personal feeling on it? A sense of accomplishment and joy of being able to give back to the community in a way other than firefighting and giving medical aid,” said firefighter Adrienne MacKay.
For five hours on Dec. 1, the local public dropped off a steady stream of donations at The Store on Hwy 311. Donated items included a huge amount of toys and canned foods, as well as a Christmas turkey. Other donations included cash and gift cards.
MacKay and her North River and District Fire Brigade colleagues originally planned on helping just one family, but the generous response will allow them to bring Christmas to three. The total number of people being helped includes five adults and five children.
“It’s amazing,” said MacKay. “The response from the community was unbelievable.”
MacKay suggested the idea to her colleagues after hearing about the Big Dog and Cat Country Christmas food drive on the radio. When she suggested the idea to her fellow firefighters, they gave their support at once.
Up to 20 firefighters were directly involved in Stuff a Truck, with the campaign being a brigade-wide effort.
Firefighter Trevor Lynds said it was a shame some families in the community struggle at Christmas, but appreciated being able to help them.
As a firefighter, helping put a smile on people’s faces means a lot when he often deals with the public in their darkest moments.
“It makes all the bad stuff seem not so bad anymore,” said Lynds. “It brings the brotherhood together.”
MacKay said the families were chosen thanks to names given anonymously by members of the public and through the local elementary school.
Firefighters will deliver the donated presents and food to the three families on Dec. 12.
