It all started in 1914 when Firefighter Eddie Boatright fixed a broken wagon and gave it to a neighborhood kid. The idea caught on and by 1924 the City's Firefighters decided to organize in the effort to supply toys to the area's needy children at Christmas. By 1926 that effort was officially recognized as "Toy and Joy Makers" with the motto "Every child deserves a Christmas". As a totally volunteer effort the program has changed over the years from different Engine houses repairing different types of toys (bikes at one station, dolls at another and so on). Now most toy’s can’t be repaired so now toys are purchased and donated to help us give toys to over 12,000 children. That equates to 3,000 families on average a year and over the last 10 years the disbursement is over 500,000 toys. Toy and Joy "Shoppers" give each child by age and gender appropriate toys plus a few fill-in stocking stuffer items. The Portland Fire's Toy and Joy Makers have turned the job of "Santa's Helper" into quite a creation. Throughout the year they assist the Bureau by giving gifts to children that have been victims of fires, accidents and other natural or man made disasters. The program has been recognized by "Readers Digest" and the White House for its work and has served as a model for over 1,700 like programs nation wide. As an all volunteer program it would be impossible without its many helpers who work tersely year after year. In 2020 over 5,800 volunteer hours were given to the community by retired firefighters, Local 43 members and people from the community at large.
