WINNIPEG - December 2, 2008 – To help brighten Christmas for our community’s children of families less fortunate, Mayor Sam Katz donated $2000.00 from the Mayor’s office budget to the Salvation Army/Winnipeg Fire Department Retirees “Toy Mountain” campaign again this year  in lieu of distributing Christmas cards this season.

“The Toy Mountain campaign, through the generosity of numerous volunteers and donations from the community, provides an immeasurable Christmas gesture to the children of less fortunate families in our community,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “I know that for many children, the toys and warm winter wear they receive from Toy Mountain will be their only gifts this season. This donation is a small gesture but I hope it helps make a difference and puts a smile on the faces of even a few children on Christmas morning.”

“Our goal this year is to beat our 2007 goal to collect 10,000 toys for the season,” said retired WFD Battalion Chief George Smith. “Once again, thanks to this generous gift from Mayor Katz, we will be able to purchase 1200 to 1300 toys and build an even bigger mountain with all of the generous donations from citizens across the province.”

The Winnipeg Fire Department launched its 2008 Toy Mountain campaign on November 5th, to collect new, unwrapped Christmas toys for children. The campaign was launched by retired and current firefighters alongside representatives of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in support of the Salvation Army and Scotiabank.

All fire stations in Winnipeg, as well as the Training Academy on McPhillips and the Fire Prevention Branch on St. Mary’s Road, will be collecting toys for children aged newborn to 14 years until December 22nd.

Mayor Katz presented the cheque, along with games and toys for all ages, to campaign leads - retired WFD Battalion Chief George Smith and Mark Young, chaplain for the WFD and the Salvation Army.