Gloucester Fire Department and Addison Gilbert Hospital Team Up to Collect Toys for Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund

GLOUCESTER —  Gloucester Firefighters Local 762 and Addison Gilbert Hospital are teaming up once again to help make sure every child gets a gift this holiday season. 

Community members are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at Gloucester Fire Headquarters, 8 School St., or Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington St. outside of the registration office. Drop off times at the registration office are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

From Sunday, Nov. 23 to Wednesday, Nov. 26, Gloucester firefighters will also be holding two boot drive donations at Stop & Shop, 6 Thatcher Road, and Market Basket, 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, to collect monetary donations. Once the boot drives are over, Gloucester firefighters and staff from Addison Gilbert Hospital will go to Walmart to purchase additional items/ toys to be added to the collection. 

The toys collected will help to fill the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund holiday store. 

The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund has been helping children in need on Cape Ann have a brighter Christmas for nearly a decade now, providing toys to more than 1,250 children in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester by the Sea, Essex and Ipswich.

The fund provides gifts to children whose families are struggling financially by operating a holiday store filled with gifts that children can choose from to make their holidays a little brighter. The store is operated by Wellspring House in Gloucester, and Pathways for Kids, with major support from Sen. Bruce Tarr and Action Inc.

Last year, Gloucester firefighters collected over 200 toys for families in need. This year, the Cape Ann Holiday Fund is estimated to have more than 1,250 families in need of support.

“We are all honored to help support Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund. Each year that we do this, we are continuously inspired by the kindness of our community,” said Chief Smith. “I want to thank the Gloucester Firefighters Union and their members, especially Firefighter Dean DeCoste, who has led this effort year after year.”

Gloucester Fire and Addison Gilbert Hospital would like to thank those who have supported and are continuing to support the initiative. Those who are in need of or know someone who needs support this holiday season should register for the fund at capeannkids.org.  

Firefighter Dean DeCoste has also opened a GoFundMe on behalf of the Gloucester Firefighters Union to collect further donations. Those interested can donate here.