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Firefighters' Toy Program Delivers Holiday Cheer To Thousands Of Kids

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) Twelve years ago, Sally Casazza walked away from her full time job with a big corporation, only to find herself running something much bigger: she chairs the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Program, a holiday toy drive that started in 1949 with firefighters fixing bikes in the basement of the fire station on Bush Street.

"I took an early retirement, came here as a volunteer, and was able to take over the position when it became available," Casazza explained. "It's the best job I've ever had. I love it!"

Last Christmas, 31,000 kids had a good holiday thanks to Casazza and hundreds of volunteers who collect, sort, and hand out thousands upon thousands of toys.

"Each child gets 4 toys," Casazza said. "They get an age and sex appropriate toy, probably an arts and crafts item or a sports item, maybe a book or a game and whatever else is donated."

This is the first year Nicole Holmes and her daughter Lasha have received toys from the firefighters.

"To get different toys and different things regarding what they use everyday, like a toothbrush -  they're excited about that," Holmes said. "Just the different toys that they got. I love it."

Retired Deputy Chief Pat Gardner has been volunteering since 1981 and has witnessed Casazza's dedication.

"For her, it's not just a seasonal thing, it's all year long. She does this, she's always setting up for next year, and as soon as this year ends, she's already working on next year," he said.

"You know, that's what the holidays are about: kids need toys!" Casazza said.

So for making sure tens of thousands of children experience the joy of toys for Christmas, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Sally Casazza.

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