Tanara Oliveira/B次元官网网址 Staff

As the holiday spirit fills the air, residents of Colwood and Langford can expect to spot fire trucks parked outside their favourite department stores on Friday, Dec. 1.

The initiative by the Colwood and Langford Fire Departments is to support the CHEK Christmas Drive Thru Event.

The Colwood Fire Department will be stationed at the London Drugs on Sooke Road, while the Langford Fire Department will be located at Canadian Tire in the Westshore Town Centre. These toy drives will be in operation from noon to 5 p.m., after which all collected toys will be delivered to the CHEK Christmas Drive Thru event venue at the Westshore Parks and Rec on 1767 Island Hwy.

The toys gathered during these drives will bring joy to families in need on the Westshore this Christmas season. The Salvation Army Connection Point Church and Resource Centre, serving the West Shore community, has received requests to assist over 400 children with Christmas toys, highlighting the importance of these efforts.

For those unable to visit the toy drive locations on Friday, both fire departments will continue to accept new toy donations until Dec. 18. After this date, the toys will be distributed by the Salvation Army to local children, ensuring a brighter holiday season for families right in our community.