Regional firefighters will be collecting cash and new, unwrapped toy donations this weekend. (Parksville Fire Rescue)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

giving season

Annual Fill the Boots campaign to lift holiday spirit

Nov 15, 2025 | 5:51 AM

PARKSVILLE — Eight local fire departments throughout the Oceanside region or joining forces to help stamp out hunger and put smiles on the faces of children this holiday season.

Led by Parksville Fire Rescue since 1997, ‘Fill the Boots for Food’ drive involves regional fire departments collecting cash donations for the Salvation Army and new unwrapped toys for Society of Organized Services (SOS) on Saturday, Nov 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16.

Over $97,000 in cash donations was generated during last year’s campaign, the City of Parksville reported.

Parksville Fire Rescue

Parksville Fire Rescue members will be at several locations throughout the city on Saturday (9a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), such as Thrifty Foods, Quality Foods and Canadian Tire.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

6h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

Qualicum Beach Fire Dept

Qualicum Beach firefighters will accept cash donations on Saturday, Nov 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its firehall (130 Rupert Rd. East), outside Qualicum Foods (705 Memorial Ave) and the Qualicum Beach Liquor Store (706 Primrose St)

Nanoose Bay Fire Dept

Nanoose Bay firefighters will be staged at Springford Farms on Northwest Bay Rd. And Quality Foods at Red Gap Centre on Saturday, Nov 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting cash, grocery store and gift card donations.

Errington Fire Dept

Errington firefighters will collect cash, food and toy donations on Saturday, Nov. 15 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Co-op service station (1401 Alberni Hwy).

Coombs-Hilliers Fire Dept

Coombs-Hillers fire crews will collect donations on Saturday, Nov. 15 (Whiskey Creek area), as well as on Sunday, Nov. 16 (Virginia Estates). Firefighters are also accepting donations at Fire Station #2 (3241 Alberni Hwy) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. both days

Deep Bay Fire Department

Deep Bay firefighters are accepting donations at its fire hall (5031 Mountainview Rd) on Saturday, Nov 15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Bow Horn Bay Fire Dept

Bown Horn Bay fire crews are accepting donations on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its fire hall (220 Lions Way, Qualicum Beach) and Tomm’s Food Village (6990 Island Hwy West)

Dashwood Fire Department

Accepted cash and non-perishable donations during Nov. 17 and Friday, Nov. 21

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook