Toy and Joy Makers in Old Tualatin
by LOYCE MARTINAZZI, Co-founder of the Tualatin Historical Society. Reprinted from December 2013 Tualatin Life Article
Tualatin firemen became Santa’s elves in 1946 when they began collecting and refurbishing used toys and distributing them to less fortunate children in the area for the holiday season. The project was called Toy and Joy Makers, and many groups participated by donating new and used items. They took the dolls to the Methodist church’s young mothers club called “Twigbenders,” (as the twig is bent; so the tree will grow) who cleaned dressed the dolls for the department.
Tualatin Elementary School always had a Christmas program, with all the grades participating, with singing, dancing, and plays. Then a jolly pillow enhanced Santa would enter the gym with a big bag over his shoulder. ‘Ho, ho, ho, who wants a gift from Santa?” Then he passed out little paper bags filled with striped hard candy, an orange and walnuts to each student.
Christmas trees were cut from the side of the road, or in vacant field, always Douglas fir, and un-sheared. To decorate the trees, we kids would make chains from colored construction paper and paste, as well as stringing popcorn garlands. My mom had a string of colored lights and some beautiful glass ornaments, and woe unto us if we broke one.
In another Christmas tradition, the firemen decorated the tallest tree in town; the stately evergreen beside Lizzie Robinson Jones’ house on Boones Ferry Road. Using department ladders to reach the top, they hung strands of colorful lights on what became the town’s Christmas tree.
When I was a kid, my folks would order gifts from the Montgomery Wards catalog. I especially remember the bucket with three divisions; striped hard candy, some kind of chocolate mounds with colorful fillings, and peanuts.
When the Wizard of Oz hit the screen in 1939, my aunt took my older sister Jo to see the movie. I cried because mom wouldn’t let me go, as she said I was too young. But one year, under the Christmas tree, in white tissue paper, and bearing my name, was a doll that looked just like Dorothy! She was wearing a little blue pinafore and ruby slippers.
As the holiday season nears, whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or the winter solstice, let us always remember the less fortunate among us, and be grateful for our blessings. As we decorate our homes with fresh fragrant evergreens, let us remember that as winter comes and the days become shorter and shorter, the sun will slowly return.
Little Guy Scull Jr, (Chico) helps his father Guy Sr., and DeeAnn Conover (Meharry) watches as her dad Merwyn Conover repairs toys.
Tualatin Fire Department at Christmas
The new fire department was completed in 1948 and located near the Winona Grange. Most of the men in the community were volunteers. This photo is from the late 1950s
Fireman Guy Scull paints a toy truck for some lucky kid.
