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By Erin Smith
The Bay Tree Lakes Fire Department, with assistance from White Lake Water Rescue, left the Bay Tree Lakes Fire Department early Wednesday morning to spread Christmas cheer to a number of children throughout the region.
“This is our second annual toy drive,” said Bay Tree Lakes Fire Chief Corbett.
The excitement was evident among the firefighters and friends as they loaded the gifts into the Water Rescue vehicle. Melody Williamson painted a special scene on the cover of the trailer towed by the Bay Tree Lakes Fire Department’s brush truck, which carried some of the gifts.
“We wanted it to be festive for the kids in the hope they will see it pull up. We wanted to bring a playful element to it (the delivery) and to make it fun (for the children),” said Williamson.
He said the idea for the toy drive began last year when some of the firefighters brought the idea to him. He said last year the firefighters collected toys and delivered them to New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital. Since then, the toy drive has grown.
“It has quadrupled in the number of requests. We have added a nursing home in Wallace,” said Chief Corbett.
The toys collected will be delivered to 25 children receiving treatment at New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital and 70 residents at Day Spring Senior Living Center in Wallace. They will also be fulfilling the requests of 11 Angels from the Angel Tree and 46 children and five families in Bladen County.
The firefighters started gathering donations earlier this year through their boot drives and from donations received from the community.
Captain Lee Reason, with White Lake Water Rescue, said things got started when he and Brandy Brigman, who is the manager of the Dollar General at White Lake, were discussing the many needs throughout the county. Reason said the Dollar General wanted to help address some of the needs and after several discussions, it was decided to team up for the toy drive.
“We want to thank the Dollar General, Food Lion and Scotchman for letting us do our boot drives there,” said Lt. Kevin Talbert with the Bay Tree Lakes Fire Department. “We want to thank everyone that gave a donation.”
Next year, they would like to see more fire departments in the county become involved in the effort so they can reach even more families.
“We’re just glad to be part of something bigger than us,” they all said.
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