By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
For more than 80 years the Caribou Fire Department’s Toys for Tots project has ensured that area children have a special holiday gift to unwrap on Christmas morning. According to Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, the project continues to grow through the generous donations of new toys by local individuals and organizations. The volunteer firefighters, who sponsor the project, also use monies from their various fundraisers to purchase toys, which are all gift wrapped and delivered, historically the Saturday before Christmas each year.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Shelley O’Rourke, office manager at C&S Management recently accepted a plaque from the Caribou Fire Department, on behalf of the local business, presented by Chief Roy Woods, left and firefighter Jared Willey, coordinator of the volunteer firefighters’ Toys for Tots project. C&S Management recently donated the use of a storage cubicle where the items for the annual project will be kept throughout the year.
The project isn’t just a holiday project however, as toys are donated or purchased throughout the year, creating the need for a large, clean, dry and secure area to store them until the time when the firefighters (and other groups) are ready to wrap and sort them for the anticipated special delivery date.
C&S Management recently donated a storage cubicle to the fire department to be used to safely store the items. “The free use of this cubicle is a great help to us,” stated volunteer firefighter Jared Willey, coordinator of the Toys for Tots program for the past two years. “C&S Management has also offered a second cubicle for us to use if the need arises,” he added.
In appreciation of this gesture, Chief Woods and Willey recently presented Shelley O’Rourke, office manager at C&S Management, with a plaque recognizing the business’ generosity.
