Tacoma Firefighters raise $14,000 to brighten the holidays for 140 local families

For the past 22 years, Tacoma Firefighters have brought holiday cheer to the lives of thousands of Tacoma children and their families with deliveries of food, clothing and gifts just before Christmas. This year, firefighters have raised over $14,000 dollars to help more than 140 children and families in need.

“It’s always a great honor to help bring a little happiness to those less fortunate during the holidays,” said project co-founder Lieutenant Jim Lee (other co-founders include Lieutenant Andrea Schroeder and Firefighter Ron Ernst). This year’s contributors include active and retired Tacoma Firefighters, Tacoma Professional Firefighters Local #31, The Tacoma Fire Department and the Office of the Pierce County Council.

Special deliveries from a fire engine, medic unit and Santa Claus are scheduled for December 22 and December 23. This year’s recipients were identified through the Tacoma School District Head Start Program, YWCA Women’s Shelter, the Sharing House and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.

For additional information regarding this event, contact Lieutenant Jim Lee at (253) 381-0851.

TFD food drive supports YWCA

An annual event since 2003, Tacoma Fire Department takes great pride in supporting our local YWCA.   Department employees hosted several friendly contests to see which team could bring in the most donations - with the firefighters on "D" shift narrowly edging out the "day shift" staff as top contributors. 

While the internal competition was fierce, the real winner was the residents of the YWCA women's shelter.  Since 1976, this vital organization has been helping women and children overcome the grips of domestic violence.  A long human supply chain of firefighters and YWCA staff helped to unload and stock a whopping 7,400 pounds of non-perishable staples.  "We were thrilled to be able to deliver a record amount of food to the shelter this year" said TFD Training Captain and event organizer Steve Stock.  "We had so much, that we ran out of space in their storage room - that was awesome!"