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Thousands raised for Christmas hampers

Elves Club Telethon

 

Outdoors for six hours in the wind and rain last Saturday, Gibsons firefighters raised $8,500 for the 47th annual Elves Club Telethon.

That total helped in turn raise more than $17,500 for the annual six-hour telethon held at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse.

“Just being part of the fire department, we try to be as community oriented as we can,” said firefighter Cody Robinson. “We help out the Elves Club every year, and they help us out in return throughout the year.”

Donations all go towards Christmas hampers, which will contain everything a family could need for Christmas dinner.

“This year we focused on nutrition,” said event organizer Lynn Nestman. “So in our hampers you will see eggs, you’re going to see cheese, you’ll see brand names, a lot of extra protein. We really wanted to find, not only a wonderful hamper, but a healthy hamper, too.”

According to Nestman, the grocery bill for the nearly 700 hampers is about $65,000. The good news is it’s not too late to donate. The Elves Club toy depot is open every day until Dec. 19 from noon to 7 p.m. and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays. The volunteers at the depot are receiving donations of toys and money.

The hampers will go to anyone living on the Coast, from Port Mellon to Egmont, who feels they need a little extra help this year. If you have children, you will need to provide an MSP card.

“We ask no questions, we give no judgment — anybody that needs one is welcome to have it,” Nestman said.

Community members, like the firefighters, donated their time to help make Christmas a little merrier for everyone during the telethon — from host Duane Burnett to youth orchestras and adult choirs and performers and folks working the phones taking in the donations.

“It’s for a good cause. I love charity work; it’s part of being a firefighter. It’s what I love to do, and this is what we do,” said firefighter Laren Bystedt.