More than a century-old holiday tradition lives on in northern Ont. community

F.W. Schumacher Christmas Gift Fund The F.W. Schumacher Christmas Gift Fund has ensured the spirit of the season has lived on in the City of Timmins for more than 100 years.

Schumacher volunteer firefighters have carried on a tradition in honour of the community’s namesake: Frederick William Schumacher.

Schumacher was an American businessman and philanthropist who came to this area in search of gold. Schumacher has been sharing his wealth with local residents since 1916. For 108 years, elementary school-aged students have received Christmas presents from Schumacher and this year, the tradition continues thanks to Schumacher’s great-granddaughter who sits on the Schumacher Foundation and the local firefighters who purchase and deliver the gifts.

“My father would have been receiving gifts in the late 30s and then I started when I went into junior kindergarten or kindergarten at that time at Shumacher Public and then my kids went to Schumacher Public as well,” said Mark Delich, chief at the Schumacher Volunteer Fire Hall.

“So, yeah, it's been, part of the Christmas spirit since, well, since I could remember it.”

When Schumacher first launched the initiative, he would buy thinks like hockey sticks, building blocks and toboggans at Eaton’s in Toronto, Ont., then take the train north to present the gifts in person.

“For me, it was, the teacher would present a list of, all the available gifts and then your name got selected randomly and then as you selected the gift, the gift got crossed off the list so it was an anxious day,” said Delich.

“You were hoping to get picked first and you wanted the gift that was most suitable and sometimes you didn't get the thing that you were hoping for but in the end, it was just a unique experience.”

For a number of years – prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – a party at the McIntyre Community Centre in Schumacher took place when children received their gifts. Now, firefighters offer doorstep delivery. Students are also given greater choice and gifts are ordered online.

“Dolls and bracelet makers for girls… I got two daughters… They're excited,” said Ryan Bruneau, a volunteer firefighter with the Schumacher Volunteer Fire Hall.

“They love it. They kept on bugging me for the past week if, Mr. Schumacher is delivering gifts this week.”

The chief said Schumacher’s family guarantees that as long as there’s somebody here to purchase the gifts and deliver them, money will be made available from the Schumacher Foundation.

“I hope to keep going until I can't do it anymore and then hopefully one of my kids would like to join,” said Bruneau.

“We're all wishing for the best.”

Schumacher passed away in 1957. He will never know how many hearts his legacy has touched.