SUCCESS!!! SLVFD Would Like to Thank Our Community for Supporting First Annual Holiday Helpers Drive
 
By SLVFD News Room
November 29, 2014
 

Every year right after Thanksgiving the members of the SLVFD conduct a work session to decorate the firehouse for the holidays. This year we decided that when we do it, we would open the station to the public and allow folks to come in and visit. The main purpose of the visit was not only to meet the volunteers, but to support "Holiday Helpers".

As the SLVFD volunteers decorated, members of the community streamed in dropping off donations for this worthy cause.

Several groups teamed up and brought in large amounts of toys. Groups included NYSDEC, Hyde Fuel Co., NYS Troopers, The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, The Saranac Lake Village Police Department PBA, Saranac Lake Postal Employees, and the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Patti Ploof "Holiday Helpers" Co-Chairperson came to the firehouse at around 2:00pm. There was not enough room in the cars she brought to haul the toys away. We ended up sending a fire truck to help deliver the toys... Holiday Helpers started in the late 70's as a small group of volunteers wanting to help the less fortunate in the community. Toys used to be handed out at the Presbyterian Church but the program has gotten so big it has been moved to the North Star Industries gymnasium. The program has grown from helping about 20 children to more than 200 being served locally. All Toys donated will go to children within the Saranac Lake School District. In addition to toys, clothing and food baskets are also handed out to families in need.

This event was only in planning for a very short time, yet we are amazed at the response!!! We can't wait to do this again in the future. Thank you to our community for making the very first SLVFD Holiday Helpers Toy Drive a huge success!!! Our community is why we do what we do...
 
A Growing Pile of Toys to be donated to "Holiday Helpers"
A Growing Pile of Toys to be donated to "Holiday Helpers"
SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro accepts donated toys from twins Colby and Michael Parker.
SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro accepts donated toys from twins Colby and Michael Parker.
 
L-R SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro, Heather DAmour, Colden and Hayden deliver toys.
L-R SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro, Heather DAmour, Colden and Hayden deliver toys.
L-R SLVFD Chief Brendan Keough, Bob Farrington, Gina Farrington, and SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro. The Farringtons graciously donated a pair of new bicycles.
L-R SLVFD Chief Brendan Keough, Bob Farrington, Gina Farrington, and SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro. The Farringtons graciously donated a pair of new bicycles.
 
L-R Dive Captain Ken McLaughlin, 1st Assistant Chief Andy McGill, and Safety Officer Ed Woodard hang lights on a wreath that will be hung on the firehouse.
L-R Dive Captain Ken McLaughlin, 1st Assistant Chief Andy McGill, and Safety Officer Ed Woodard hang lights on a wreath that will be hung on the firehouse.
L-R Cathy, Angie, and Dick Mose donate a pair of Tonka Trucks.
L-R Cathy, Angie, and Dick Mose donate a pair of Tonka Trucks.
 
Saranac Lake area "First Responders" L-R SLPD Officer Reyanin Peck, NYSP Sergeant Pete Arcadi, SLVRS EMT James McPherson, SLVRS EMT George Christon, NYSP Trooper Kyle Conlon, SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro, and NYS Forest Ranger Lieutenant Julie Harjung.
Saranac Lake area "First Responders" L-R SLPD Officer Reyanin Peck, NYSP Sergeant Pete Arcadi, SLVRS EMT James McPherson, SLVRS EMT George Christon, NYSP Trooper Kyle Conlon, SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro, and NYS Forest Ranger Lieutenant Julie Harjung.
L-R SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro and Holiday Helpers Co-Chairperson Patti Ploof stop for a photo with the toys collected throughout the day.
L-R SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro and Holiday Helpers Co-Chairperson Patti Ploof stop for a photo with the toys collected throughout the day.
 
SLPD Officers James Joyce and Reyanin Peck deliver toys to SLVFD Chief Brendan Keough.
SLPD Officers James Joyce and Reyanin Peck deliver toys to SLVFD Chief Brendan Keough.
Postman Marvin Merrill delivers toys collected by the Saranac Lake Postal Employees.
Postman Marvin Merrill delivers toys collected by the Saranac Lake Postal Employees.
 
L-R James McPherson and George Christon of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad deliver toys donated by the SLVRS.
L-R James McPherson and George Christon of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad deliver toys donated by the SLVRS.
Saranac Lake resident Rich Preal drops off some toys.
Saranac Lake resident Rich Preal drops off some toys.
 
Smokey takes a moment to inspect the toys...
Smokey takes a moment to inspect the toys...
Saranac Lake residents Deb and Charlie Story drop off some toys.
Saranac Lake residents Deb and Charlie Story drop off some toys.
 
A Growing Pile of Toys to be donated to "Holiday Helpers"
A Growing Pile of Toys to be donated to "Holiday Helpers"
L-R Ray Brook Station Commander, Sergeant Peter Arcadi, Trooper Kyle Conlon, and SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro unload a troop car full of toys.
L-R Ray Brook Station Commander, Sergeant Peter Arcadi, Trooper Kyle Conlon, and SLVFD Captain James D'Ambro unload a troop car full of toys.
 
Trooper Kyle Conlon helps with Holiday Helpers Toy Drive.
Trooper Kyle Conlon helps with Holiday Helpers Toy Drive.
1st Assistant Chief Andy McGill and Firefighter John Law prepare a wreath for the firehouse.
1st Assistant Chief Andy McGill and Firefighter John Law prepare a wreath for the firehouse.
 
Wreaths waiting to be placed on the firehouse.
Wreaths waiting to be placed on the firehouse.