By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“There’s nothing better than volunteering for something — it’s a good feeling,” said Mike Divito, a five-year volunteer member of the Caribou Fire Department. However Divito wasn’t just speaking of his firefighter duties when he made this statement, he was referencing the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department’s Toy Project, which he chaired this year for the first time.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou Volunteer firefighter Mike Divito, left, chairman of the CFD Toy Project, recently received a generous donation of $250 from Lance Lagasse, Simone Michaud and Lukis Lagasse, the result of the three youths making and selling wreaths for the third consecutive year. The three Woodland/Stockholm students take one weekend each year to go out and tip boughs, then construct the wreaths which they sell at their schools and to family members.
“We have, once again this year, received tremendous support from community members and organizations. We are very excited in the amount of new toys that have been donated and those we have been able to purchase through generous donations,” said Divito.
“This year there were 200 families on our list with a total of 350 children but through the assistance of other groups, our number was reduced to approximately 60 families that includes about 150 kids that we will provide with three gifts apiece — it’s a very exciting time for our firefighters,” stated the project chairman.
“When the kids/families see us at their homes wearing our blue shirts and badges, delivering the packages, it’s very emotional — they are so excited and appreciative.”
Devito said that this year they again had a great deal of help wrapping the holiday packages, including two groups from the Baptist Church.
The annual toy project allows the Caribou firefighters to help make sure all kids have a Merry Christmas in the communities where they provide fire service including Caribou, Woodland, New Sweden, Stockholm, Perham, Loring and Connor.
