By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Gadsden Fire Department is teaming up with the Salvation Army to bring presents to local kids this Christmas, but to succeed the department needs your help!
“We do three primary charities during the year, the muscular dystrophy campaign, our cancer awareness campaign and the one that is the closest to our hearts is the Toys from Santa campaign,” said Gadsden Fire Chief Stephen Carroll.
The department is participating in the Toys from Santa program. The donated toys will assist the Salvation Army’s toy drive. The Gadsden Fire Department is also helping about 100 more kids that did not qualify for that program.
Every Gadsden Fire Station is accepting unwrapped toys and monetary donations. Unwrapped toys and monetary donations will be accepted until December 22. Those donating large quantities of toys can call the fire administration’s central office at 256-549-4566 to schedule a pick-up.
Toys for all ages are being accepted.
The department will use the monetary donations to purchase more toys.
According to Carroll, the fire department has been participating in this program for about 13 years.
Last year, the Toys from Santa program raised $20,000 and helped over 500 children. The program gave $13,000 to the Salvation Army to assist the organization in providing toys for 300 children. In addition to assisting the Salvation Army, the fire department made Christmas possible for 225 more local children. Of the fire department’s 225 children, 100 were taken to Wal-Mart to spend $100 each. The remaining 125 children were provided with donated toys from the campaign. The department also gave away 50 bicycles.