Pancake feed and food drive Saturday
Santa will hear requests from good girls and boys at the 14th annual pancake feed from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. The breakfast, hosted by the firefighters of East Pierce Fire and Rescue, will be at the Sumner fire station, 800 Harrison St.
The cost is a $3 donation and tickets can be purchased at the door.
Firefighters, fire commissioners and local dignitaries will be flipping flapjacks and serving ham, coffee and orange juice while Santa chats with good girls and boys. A silent auction, featuring items donated by local businesses, will be available during the event.
Last year, the firefighters raised $7,000 through donations, ticket sales and the silent auction. The money was used to purchase Christmas gifts for 500 needy children identified by the Sumner Family Center.
The firefighters will also be collecting nonperishable food items for distribution to local food banks. Donations of new and gently-use coats, hats, scarves and gloves will be distributed to area residents in need.
Tree lighting, food drive Saturday
The Bonney Lake Kiwanis’ annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Food Drive is set for Saturday.
The tree lighting, near the Public Safety Building, will take place at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Neil Johnson turning on the lights.
Food donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bonney Lake Food Bank, 18409 Sumner-Buckley Hwy.
The Bonney Lake Elementary School choir will provide live music beginning at 6 p.m., while the public can enjoy hot chocolate, cider, coffee and candy.
East Pierce Fire and Rescue personnel will pick up Santa at the Bonney Lake Library, then bring him to the Public Safety Building at 6:45 p.m. Santa will be available for photos afterwards.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event.
For more information, call 253-863-2464.
Annual Santa Run through Dec. 20
Local firefighters will accompany Jolly old St. Nick on his annual trek through area neighborhoods begin ning Sunday.
East Pierce Fire and Rescue Firefighter James Parke, who organizes the event, said Santa’s visit is always greatly anticipated. “There’s such an overwhelming response from the community. I’m already getting calls,” he said.
Firefighters will also be collecting donations for the Bonney Lake and Sumner food banks as they accompany Santa during his annual visit to neighborhoods in the East Pierce district.
Look for the fire engines and Santa’s sleigh in the following neighborhoods from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekends and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays on these dates:
Sunday: Ridgewest Drive East, Lakeridge Drive East and Tacoma Point
Tuesday: Lake Tapps Estates, Skyline Estates, Quiet Water, Inlet Island, White River Estates and Mt. Creek
Dec. 10: City of Sumner
Dec. 12: Cedar Ridge, Timber Ridge, Rhododendron Park, Prairie Ridge, Fir Ridge and Brookwater
Dec. 13: Cedar View, Ponderosa, Russell Wood, Cascade Trails, Summer Hill, Sunset Meadows, Eagle’s Crest and Mt. Rainer Heights
Dec. 15: City of Sumner
Dec. 17: City of Sumner
Dec. 19: Sky Island, Panorama Heights, Falling Water, Spring Haven and the area between Church Lake Road and Bonney Lake Boulevard
Dec. 20: South Prairie and Wilkeson
Watch for our emergency vehicles. They will cruise a few blocks ahead of Santa’s sleigh to let you know Santa has arrived. The firefighters ask that everyone stay safely on the sidewalk and out of the road. Helpers will come to you.
Santa’s visit is sponsored by the International Association of Firefighters Local No. 3520 and the East Pierce Fire and Rescue Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.
For information, call East Pierce Fire and Rescue at 253-863-1800.
Fundraiser to benefit fallen officer
The Bonney Lake Police Department is teaming up with Applebee’s in a “Dining to Donate” fundraiser to assist the family of a Seattle police officer killed Oct. 31.
Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed in the line of duty Halloween night.
Fifteen percent of the Applebee’s sales on Dec. 12 will be donated to the Brenton family.
Bonney Lake officers will distribute flyers announcing the event the morning of Dec. 12 at the Target store during and after the “Shop with a Cop” event.
Restaurant customers must have the flyer with them for their sale to count.
