Firefighters in Port Angeles and Sequim are collecting donations this Christmas season.
The Port Angeles Fire Department’s 32nd annual Operation Candy Cane began Saturday night and will continue through Thursday.
Volunteers and paid firefighters are traveling with Santa Claus beginning at 5 p.m. each evening on Sparky, a 1956 Seagrave fire engine, decorated in holiday lights.
Firefighters hand out candy canes to those who come out to meet them while collecting nonperishable food or money for the Port Angeles Food Bank.
Last year, the operation collected almost 9,000 pounds of food and more than $2,115 in cash, said Keith Bogues, spokesman for the fire department. The record amount of food collected was more than 13,000 pounds in 2011.
The first night, firefighters canvassed the neighborhood west of I and M streets in west Port Angeles. Tonight, they will be in the neighborhood between I and L streets to C Street.
Here is the rest of the schedule:
• Monday, C Street to Lincoln Street.
• Tuesday, Chase Street to Chambers Street.
• Wednesday, Jones Street to Golf Course Road.
• Thursday, above Lauridsen Boulevard.
Residents can listen for the siren to know when Santa and his helpers will be running alongside the engine collecting food and money and handing out candy canes.
In Sequim, firefighters with Clallam Fire District No. 3, working in partnership with Scout Explorer Post 1003, will send out the Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday to collect nonperishable food, toys and donations as they drive around Sequim on a decorated 1939 antique fire engine.
Santa and his helpers will hand out candy canes as they collect donations. Donations go to the Sequim Food Bank and Sequim Community Aid.
Dates and locations are as follows:
• Tuesday, downtown Sequim west of Sequim Avenue.
• Wednesday, downtown Sequim east of Sequim Avenue.
• Thursday, Emerald Highlands and Elk Creek Apartments
Friday will be a makeup day if needed.
