It was a record-setting year for the Green Bay Metro Fire Department's Gifts for Teens drive, benefiting the Salvation Army and teens in need in Brown County.
The department collected 763 gift donations and $7,662 in monetary donations to purchase an additional 487 gifts, bringing the total to 1,250 gifts!
On Friday, firefighters went shopping for those additional gifts at Shopko in Green Bay. The donations this year helped them buy everything from sporting goods to electronics and drones.
"Every year, we're able to give them a little happiness on Christmas morning when otherwise they might sometimes go without," said Jim Bourgeois, a firefighter with the department.
Collection of donations began with boxes at each fire station, the NBC26 studios and The Animal House Pet Clinic locations. The Animal House Pet Clinic was a sponsor of the event, contributing $1,000.
More donations were gathered as the fire department did its inaugural parades through each fire district.
The drive ended with an all-day donation event at Shopko in Ashwaubenon where both the Shopko Foundation and BayCare Clinic donated $1,000 each.
"Everybody just kind of coming together to do something great for our community, and that's what it's really been about," said Chad Decker with the fire department.
The gifts will all be donated to the Salvation Army, which will give them to families in need during their annual Christmas distribution event at Shopko Hall.
