With Christmas barely more than a week away, the children of Schumacher will gather to continue the gift giving tradition that F.W. Schumacher started nearly a century ago.
This Tuesday, December 16th, the Schumacher Volunteer Fire Department, along with numerous volunteers will be hosting the 98th annual gift giving celebration in the F.W. Schumacher Ballroom at the McIntyre Area.
The tradition dates back to 1916 when the founder of Schumacher, F.W. Schumacher left a trust for the children of Schumacher so that every year, the children of Schumacher receive a gift at Christmas time.
Although it was F.W. Schumacher, himself, who originally selected the gifts for the benefit of the school children of the town, the Schumacher Volunteer Fire Department has been accepting this responsibility since 1979.
“I’ve read of this tradition in multiple papers around the world. It’s very unique,” said Ryan Hartling, 2014 Committee Chair for the F.W. Schumacher Gift Giving Committee.
“Even though he passed away in 1957, this tradition continues courtesy of a trust fund that Mr. Schumacher set up for the purchase of gifts for all elementary school children that live in Schumacher,” said Hartling. “This community and its children continue to be drawn together by Mr. Schumacher’s kindness and overabundance of good will, which adds to the spirit of this time of year.”
“It’s such a great thing that after all these years, the family of Mr. Schumacher continues to give to this trust and continue to give to the people of Schumacher,” says Hartling.
This event is more than just about material gifts, it’s about building community spirit and a sense of pride in the town.
“The children of Schumacher get together in one place; learn a bit about F.W. Schumacher, the founder of the town and where these gifts are coming from. You can see it in their eyes that they appreciate it,” says Hartling, “As the kids are exiting the event, they also receive a book about Mr. Schumacher, his life and how this tradition came to be.”
F.W. Schumacher was the first person to sink a mine shaft in Schumacher with the location of that shaft being marked by the Mr. Schumacher Park on Father Costello Dr.
He also founded some of the first buildings in Schumacher, such as the train station that brought people to the town for the Porcupine Gold Rush.
“He’s an important part of the history of this town and of the North,” says Hartling, “I’m glad we have his name for this town and that this tradition continues.”
For all those who will be attending this event, the F.W. Schumacher Ballroom is upstairs at the McIntyre Arena and the event will be starting at 6:30.
PHOTO: A mural depicting Frederick W. Schumacher, ”Philanthropist and Philosopher”, adorns the south wall of the McIntyre Arena in Schumacher. In homage to the annual Christmas Gift tradition, Schumacher is shown alongside a tree full of gifts and the children of Schumacher. Dave Kramer for TimminsToday
