As we gear up for our 46th year of Operation Santa, things are going to look differently this year.

In the years past, during this month-long holiday toy and food drive, Clackamas Fire District #1 volunteers and employees lead Santa’s fire engine parade down neighborhood streets to collect non-perishable food items, which are used to fill hundreds of food baskets for needy families, and donated new toys for children. We are not able to accept donations of stuffed animals and clothing items for this year but only new toys that are packaged. Donated funds are used to purchase perishable items for food baskets.

Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus, we have to change the way Operation Santa looks this year. We are doing our very best to continue this time honored tradition and to help as many families in our community as possible, but we are subject to the restrictions and to keeping people healthy.

While the nightly parades will not be happening this year, we will have eight drive up and drop off events planned throughout the fire district. If you are interested in helping, please visit our website at www.clackamasfire.com to find the locations of the drop-off events. In addition with the new Operation Santa we are discouraging citizens from dropping off at our community fire stations this year. The contactless collection events begin Nov. 28 through Dec. 13, 2020.

If you would like to sign up to be a recipient of food and toys, we receive the names of those that are in need from Compassion in Action. Please refer to their website for further information and details www.ciacc.org.  We are not able to accept any applications in person this year.

Please check out our website at www.clackamasfire.com for further details.

From all of us at Clackamas Fire, have a healthy and safe holiday!