Operation Santa has been a Clackamas Fire tradition within the community for more than 50 years. While the goal is the same as it has been since the beginning, several years ago the strategy to collect donations has shifted to focusing on our donation drop-off events.
In 2022, we reintroduced some of the community parades and we will continue doing those parades again this year. They will continue to look a little different than in the past with fewer, consolidated parades plus Clackamas Fire will not be collecting donations during the parades. There are some parade route changes from 2023 so be sure to review the map to ensure you know the updated routes. We are using a Santa Tracker to help the community know when the parade is getting close to them or their neighborhood. Please note the tracker could be slightly delayed, so plan accordingly. Parades will begin on Wednesday, December 4. See below for details on all parades.
Clackamas Fire will be hosting five donation drop-off events throughout the community. The collection events begin on Saturday, December 7. All donations will need to be delivered to one of the drop-off events. See below for more detailed information regarding the donation drop-off events.
Operation Santa Claus is 100% funded by donations from members of the community and does not solicit funds or donations over the phone.
Drop-Off Events
We are not accepting any donations during the community parades nor at our community fire stations. Between December 7 and December 15, five donation drop-off events will be held throughout the Fire District at various locations. The list of donation drop-off events is listed below.
The Parades
There will be five Operation Santa parades throughout the community. Since donations will not be collected during the parades, the five routes are either expanded or combined with other previous parade routes. There are some parade route changes from last year so be sure to check the maps. The parade details and routes are listed below.
Financial Donations
A tax-deductible donation can be made to the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation, which is a non-profit organization associated with Clackamas Fire. The Foundation is a tax-exempt organization formed under IRC 501(c)(3). To make a donation to Operation Santa, please mail a check made out to the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation and making sure to note “Operation Santa” on the memo line of the check to: Clackamas Fire c/o: Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation, 11300 SE Fuller Rd., Milwaukie, OR 97222.
If your business would like to collect donations and bring them to our donation drop-off events, click here for the flyer:
Review the parade routes and check if an address falls along a route:
| DATE | DAY | TIME | LOCATION |
| December 4 | Wednesday | 6pm | Clackamas |
| December 5 | Thursday | 6pm | Oregon City |
| December 6 | Friday | 6pm | Happy Valley |
| December 12 | Thursday | 6pm | Milwaukie |
| December 13 | Friday | 6pm | Sandy |
| DATE | DAY | TIME | LOCATION |
| December 7 | Saturday | 12pm–5pm | Oregon City Hilltop Cinema Parking Lot 325 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City |
| December 8 | Sunday | 2pm–6pm | City of Happy Valley City Hall 16000 SE Misty Dr., Happy Valley |
| December 14 | Saturday | 12pm–5pm | Sandy Fire Station #71 17460 Bruns Ave., Sandy |
| December 14 | Saturday | 12pm–5pm | Boring Fire Station #14 28655 SE Hwy 212, Boring |
| December 15 | Sunday | 12pm–5pm | Milwaukie Farmer’s Market Parking Lot 10749 SE Main St., Milwaukie |
Visit the Clackamas Service Center website for information on how to apply for assistance, click here.