San Francisco, California (December 14, 2009) -- The San Francisco Bar Pilots are helping the San Francisco Firefighter’s Toy Program mark the 60th year of its annual holiday toy drive by donating 150 children's bicycles and hundreds of new toys.
The gifts will be received today by firefighters 11 a.m. at the Bar Pilots station at Pier 9 in San Francisco.
"The San Francisco Bar Pilots have been proud to support the Firefighter's Toy Program for many years and our members were particularly glad to lend their support for children in need during this holiday season," said Captain Peter McIsaac, President of the San Francisco Bar Pilots. "We congratulate firefighters on 60 years of ensuring a happy and joyous holiday for thousands of children who receive gifts each year through the toy fund."
The San Francisco Firefighter's Toy Program, run with support from the San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, is the city's largest and the nation's oldest program of its kind. Since 1949, it has evolved from a few firefighters repairing broken toys and bikes for 15 families to over 300 firefighters and friends volunteering their time to distribute over 200,000 toys to more than 40,000 disadvantaged children year-around.
Besides helping individual families in need, the Toy Program serves many community organizations, including shelters for abused women and children, inner-city schools, neighborhood groups, children's cancer wards, and pediatric AIDS units. We also respond on a year-round basis to displaced children who become victims of fires, floods and other such disasters
Pilots donated personal funds to purchase 150 bicycles and made a financial contribution to the fund this year. Additionally, hundreds of new toys gathered during the pilots' annual holiday party are also being donated to the toy fund.
"We thank the San Francisco Bar Pilots for their generous support this year and in years past," said Sally Casazza, Chairperson of the San Francisco Firefighter’s Toy Program. "These gifts and toys will bring a smile to children's faces throughout San Francisco. The Toy Program has helped spread holiday cheer to children for 60 years through a partnership with groups such as the bar pilots."
Media Contact Charles Goodyear (415) 227-9700