Fire department overwhelmed with toys and food following thefts from donation bins

They were destined to help brighten the Christmas spirit of children in need this season in a gesture of community generosity, but the Central York Fire Services was left feeling it could have been all for nothing after a robbery at the Edward Street Fire Station early Thursday morning.

The community, however, quickly rallied to turn that around.

As is often the case at the start of the Festive Season, members of the Central York Fire Services, which covers both Aurora and Newmarket, accept donations of toys and non-perishable food items for distribution in the communities they serve.

This was turning into a bountiful year as residents gave generously to the cause.

But that all came crashing down around 3.30 a.m. on December 9 when a man was caught on security cameras emptying the donation bin.

“Both trucks stationed [at Edward Street's Station 4-3] were out on emergency runs at the time,” says CYFS Chief Ian Laing. “The man pulls up in a dark-coloured mini-van and enters the station armed with shopping bags. He takes a number of toys from the donation bin and leaves. He returns in the same vehicle, but the clothes are changed, and again enters the station and continues to take more donations.”

The bin was full when the suspect started, said Chief Laing, and it was almost empty when he finished.

The incident was reported to York Regional Police, who are investigating the case and checking with area businesses for additional security video footage.

“We have taken steps to safeguard the daily donations by moving them into the secure area of the fire station each night,” said Laing, the day after the incident. “It is upsetting that the donations of generous people in Town have been taken by someone who felt they had a greater need. I expect with the economic times, there will be lots of stories like this, but this guy had taken a number of gifts that were destined to be distributed in the community to young folks who need some assistance as well.”

Following reports of the theft, members of the community – and from communities well beyond Aurora – stepped up to help the CYFS rebuild.

“We have always known the community was giving,” said Laing on Monday. “We collect food for food pantries year-round and the public has always been amazing. There will be a few individuals who, I guess, are hard done by or have bad circumstances going on in their lives and they just find it easier to circumvent the system rather than ask for help and try to help themselves. I don't think you ever get away from that. But the number of people who are opening up their hearts and opening their wallets and trying to help us help the community is overwhelming. It is a very positive part of what we do. Helping people is what it is all about. 

“Trent Hills' (fire crews) were amazing. Within a day, they drive over two hours just to bring us a donation of toys they had, in fact, collected but their toy drive was over. They said they might as well put them where they will be of some good and, on top of that, they put in $1,000 and we're going to give half of that to the Aurora and Newmarket food pantries so they can buy the kinds of things folks need. As much as everyone is kind of taken aback by what has happened, when you see these acts of generosity, and they're compounded now because people are hearing about it, we have had corporations step up and ask what we need. It blows your mind a little bit that people have been so generous. It has been a tough time for industry and a tough time for individuals over the last couple of years, so it is heartwarming to actually see things coming together again.”

It isn't too late to donate to families in need via the Central York Fire Services. Donations will be accepted at any of their fire halls through Monday, December 20. 

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter