Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Battling blazes to rescuing pets to partaking in community events, Greater Napanee Emergency Services’ fire department has had an eventful year.
Highlights from this year have been compiled into a 2023 calendar, which is now available at the station and in select businesses throughout town. Money raised from the sale of the calendar along with advertising found within its pages will go towards the GNES annual toy drive. Each month features a unique action shot that covers the wide range of calls local firefighters have responded to over the last 12 months.
Residents can also contribute to the toy drive directly by bringing a new unwrapped toy to the station, located at 66 Advance Ave, from now through Dec. 13.
“Every time we do something the community is just amazing. We were inundated with toys last year,” said GNES deputy fire chief Kevin Duncan. “It’s a fantastic thing to do every year and I feel really proud.”
Toys for all ages are welcome but those geared towards ages 13 and 14 are always in short supply. Board games and teen books would make for a great addition to the regular toys for youngsters.
Greater Napanee Fire Services deputy chief Bill Hammond serves a Grand Slam breakfast to Molly Prudhomme during Denny’s annual anniversary fundraiser back in 2019. The event will return on Dec. 7 with proceeds from the sale of Grand Slams going towards the GNES toy drive. Donations of new unwrapped toys can also be made to the GNES fire station in Napanee. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
There is also another, tasty way to assist with the toy drive. On Dec. 7 Denny’s in Napanee will be celebrating their 12th anniversary by hosting their annual Grand Slam Breakfast fundraiser. Every $3.99 Grand Slam sold that day will go towards the toy drive. Once again local firefighters will be on hand to work as servers and to collect any extra donations to help fill the boot.
“It’s a great time, it’s a blast. I was talking to my pre-service kids at Loyalist College, there’s a bunch of them that want to come help out too so we’ll have lots of help,” said Duncan.