One toy after another was packed and loaded up in Mount Laurel Monday thanks to a man who loved everything about Christmas.
"Christmas was his favorite time of the year and the house is always decorated to the hill," daughter Vicky Giquinto said.
Yes, 64-year-old Bill Fleming was all about the decorations, but it was the spirit of giving that motivated him to reach into his pockets and buy toys - a lot of toys - for needy children.
For the last 22 years, the father, husband, and well known South Jersey auto mechanic hit the stores on December 26th looking for deals and racking up on toys to donate for the next season.
"I think as a child he didn't have much so he wanted to make sure no children went without a Christmas," daughter Dawn Fleming said.
But for Fleming's family, this Christmas will be the first without him.
He died Saturday.
Despite being sick most of this year, he managed to buy more toys than ever, storing them in his attic.
His daughters say the donations usually went to the Pine Hill Fire Company to give away to families.
Fleming even played the part, dressing up as Santa to hand out toys in his vintage Chevy convertible.
"He was very modest. He just wrote 'Santa' on the tags and just didn't anyone to know where it was coming from," Giquinto said.
This year's generous donation went to the Mount Laurel Fire Department; firefighters lent a hand packing the toys and the presents will be given to Toys for Tots.
Fleming's daughters wanted to share this story to remind the community there are good people out there.
"He wanted to make sure every child had a wonderful amazing Christmas and I think he succeeded for a very long time," Fleming said.
Fleming's loved ones want his legacy to continue. They're asking people to donate toys at places like the Mount Laurel fire station on Church Road. Toys for Tots will pick up from there and two other fire houses in the community on Tuesday, December 10th.
Locations:
Headquarters / Station 363
69 Elbo Lane
Masonville Fire Station 361
105 Masonville-Centerton Road
Fellowship Fire Station 362
3824 Church Road
