Whether for the photo-ops with Saint Nick, to donate to local agencies, and/or to enjoy the lights and music, Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade has become a tradition for many Sequim residents.

Sunland remains an annual stop with neighbors in one corner hosting an annual block party featuring cookies, warm drinks, and a campfire.

Organizer Maria Jones said they started it a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic, and at first it was just immediate neighbors, but “it became a thing.”

She’s since invited more neighbors and encouraged them to donate money to the Sequim Food Bank due to an increase in need.

“We have a great time,” Jones said. “It’s a release from the ‘Bah! Humbugs!’ and the fire department has fun too.”

Volunteers with Clallam County Fire District 3, Clallam County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2933, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) drove fire apparatuses Dec. 8-12 through the Sequim area culminating at Walmart that Friday.

They accepted donations for Sequim Community Aid’s Toys for Sequim Kids set for Dec. 16, and food for the Sequim Food Bank. Monetary donations were also accepted.

Capt. Marc Lawson with the fire district said they received more than $6,000 in checks and cash donations.

A truck and trailer filled with toys and bicycles brought the donations to Toys for Sequim Kids organizers on Dec. 13 along with $1,2500.

On Dec. 16, Lawson said they delivered 2,525 pounds of food to the Sequim Food Bank and gave approximately $5,000 to the agency.

For more information about Sequim Community Aid and Toys for Sequim Kids, leave a message at 360-681-3731.

Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St., is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays. Call 360-683-1205 or visit sequimfoodbank.org for more information.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Volunteers with Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade stand together during a stop by the Sunland Clubhouse on Dec. 11. The group went through Sequim last week collecting toys, food, and monetary donations for the community.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Karen Eldridge, on right, pours a warm apple cinnamon drink for Brian Hanley as Barb Parse prepares another drink during a Sunland block party on Dec. 11. Neighbors offer cookies, warm drinks and a campfire each year as they await Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade.

Photo courtesy Jeff Albers, CCFD3/ The Grinch and Santa Claus (John Brygider) stand outside Sequim Walmart on Dec. 12 after a week-long effort collecting toys, food and monetary donations with Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade for Sequim Food Bank and Sequim Community Aid’s Toys for Sequim Kids.

Photo courtesy Marc Lawson, CCFD3/ Volunteers with Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade gather up toy and bicycle donations on Dec. 13 to give to Sequim Community Aid for the group’s annual Toys for Sequim Kids on Dec. 16.