The annual Oshawa firefighters Boot Toll returns Friday, with off-duty firefighters collecting donations for local charities at Oshawa Centre.
Members of the Oshawa Firefighters Association will be stationed near mall entrances and exits from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 4. Shoppers and other visitors can contribute spare change or another donation as they pass.
More than $1 million raised over the years
The association says the long-running initiative has raised more than $1 million for local charitable causes. The format is straightforward: firefighters hold a clean boot as a donation container, giving the fundraiser its name.
Money from the event supports community organizations rather than municipal fire operations. Residents who choose to donate are helping the firefighters’ charitable work in Oshawa and the surrounding community.
What visitors should know
The collection runs throughout the day, so people do not need to arrive at a particular time. The firefighters will be positioned around the shopping centre’s public entrances and exits and should not interfere with emergency access or mall operations.
Participation is voluntary. Residents who are unable to donate can still help by sharing accurate event information with friends or family who plan to visit the mall Friday.
A familiar local fundraiser
Boot tolls are a common charitable tradition among firefighter associations across Canada. The Oshawa event has become a recognizable annual campaign because it places firefighters directly in the community and channels many small donations into larger support for local groups.
The 2026 Boot Toll takes place Friday, September 4 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Oshawa Centre. The announcement asks residents to give only if they are able.
Source: Durham Radio News
