Dean Johnston never imagined that his first visit to Portland’s Fire Station 1 would spark a lifelong commitment to community service. In 1972, he walked into the fire station’s basement to find rows of tall wooden shelves filled not with firefighting equipment, but with donated toys ready for delivery to families in need during the holiday season.
Now 80 years old, Johnston recalls that moment as a turning point in his life. “It kind of amazed me, and what I really found out was how much the firefighters cared about doing this,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive.
At that time, Johnston was a married man with three young daughters. Inspired by the firefighters’ compassion, he felt compelled to contribute to the cause himself. “It made me feel good going down there and sorting toys,” he said. Johnston took pride in repairing broken toys and restoring those that needed a new shine.
Eventually, he assumed leadership of the Toy & Joy Makers program, which has been part of Portland Fire & Rescue since its inception in 1914.
Johnston began his career with the fire bureau in 1968 and, after being transferred to Station 1, dedicated much of his time between emergency calls to Toy & Joy. He discovered a passion for the program and, by 1972, was assigned to work on it full-time as the holiday season approached. His responsibilities included dedicating 40 hours a week alongside a few firefighters and civilian volunteers to ensure that toys reached families in time for Christmas.
Outside of the holiday season, Johnston continued with his typical firefighting duties, including responding to emergencies and rescuing those in danger. He endured numerous injuries, having broken his ankle seven times within three years during the 1970s. Off-duty mishaps also took their toll; he gave up motor sports after a racing accident and lost an eye while playing handball.
Because of his long list of injuries, Johnston was even restricted by his superiors in one instance, where he was ordered to drive the fire truck and “do absolutely nothing else.” “The captain told the lieutenant, ‘Do not let Dean Johnston out of that truck,’” he recalled with a chuckle.
Despite his injuries, Johnston found great joy in being a firefighter. He cherished the sense of camaraderie among his colleagues, comparing it to the brotherhood he experienced while serving as a helicopter mechanic in Vietnam. His connection to helping others extended into his work with Toy & Joy, where he felt a similar satisfaction.
By the 1980s, Johnston had risen to the position of director of the Toy & Joy program. Under his leadership, the initiative expanded significantly, growing from serving hundreds to thousands of families each year. Even after his retirement from the fire bureau in 1996, Johnston remained dedicated to the toy drive, taking on the role of president of the organization’s board.
In recognition of his decades of dedicated service, Johnston was awarded a ribbon of merit by Portland Fire’s interim chief, AJ Jackson, in May. Jackson highlighted how Johnston exemplified the spirit of giving that Toy & Joy stands for, helping families in need during the holiday season.
Recently, a celebration was held by the fire bureau to honor Johnston’s lifelong contributions to the Toy & Joy program.
Interestingly, Johnston’s connection to the initiative began long before his 1972 visit to the basement of Fire Station 1. After years of working with the toy drive, he discovered during a visit with his elderly mother that she had relied on Toy & Joy to provide gifts during his childhood when she struggled economically after Johnston’s father left the family.
Reflecting on this revelation, he remarked, “I guess it’s a full circle of life. I got some, and I’ve been giving back ever since.”
Although the primary focus of Toy & Joy is to distribute toys during the holiday season, Johnston explained that the organization works behind the scenes throughout the year. The group helps source, package, and organize toys in preparation for the holiday season, as well as providing assistance to families who face crises, such as those displaced by disasters or fleeing domestic violence.
After Johnston’s retirement from the fire bureau in the mid-’90s, firefighter Pat McMahon was appointed as a liaison between the bureau’s management and Toy & Joy’s civilian volunteers. Upon visiting the program in 2001, McMahon was impressed by its efficiency and structure, describing it as a “well-thought-out, well-processed machine.”
McMahon praised Johnston’s leadership skills, noting his ability to foster collaboration among all those involved in the organization. Even though he is no longer the board president, Johnston continues to volunteer with Toy & Joy.
“I still go in for a few days (a week),” he said. As he moves into a new decade of life, he acknowledges that it’s time to pass the torch.
Johnston’s story exemplifies a commitment to community and selflessness, showing how one individual’s passion can create a lasting impact on the lives of countless families in need.
This spirit of giving remains a hallmark of the Toy & Joy program, continuing the legacy established nearly a century ago.
image source from：oregonlive
