Submitted by Steve Sorensen, Sooke Fire Chief      |         Dec.21, 2009 (updated Dec.23/09)

It was an overwhelming sight to see the generosity of the residents of Sooke as they stood waiting with their donations of food, for Santa to drive by in a fire truck on Saturday night.

About 800 bags of groceries were collected during the annual Santa Run put on by the fire departments of Sooke, East Sooke and Otter Point. Between 550 and 600 of those bags were the specially-marked one that had been distributed in the Sooke News Mirror on December 16. 

In the Sooke Fire Hall, the pile of food took up a space 24 ft.long,6 ft. wide and 3 ft. high. It took two large construction trailers and a pickup truck to make the delivery to Community Hall (where donations will be sorted for delivery to individuals and families in need). 

Over 30 volunteer firefighters -- many bringing their children -- had spent the day decorating three fire trucks for the 19th annual event. Beginning at 5 pm, the three trucks traveled most of the streets in Sooke, covering approximately 50 sq km while collecting food and cash donations for the Sooke Christmas Bureau and the Food Bank. The last truck did not get back until 9:30 that night.

This was the best year ever. In addition to the food, over $750 in cash donations was collected. Coupled with the money raised at the Fill a Fire Truck event two weeks ago, means that firefighters handed in a total donation of over $3,000 to the Food Bank.

Many thanks to Western Foods, Sooke and Otter Point Firefighter Associations, and the District of Sooke for sponsoring the grocery bags. This was the first time we tried the bags which was a huge success. There were 5,000 bags sent out with the Sooke News Mirror on December 16, from East Sooke to Port Renfrew.

We will be seeking sponsors for next year's run as we hope to make the 20th anniversary bigger and better.   MM

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