Tis the season for giving, whether it be to family, friends or even a stranger. It can come in the form of a kind act, a warm meal, or even a tangible gift for someone. As the holiday approaches, no matter how you celebrate – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa – the holiday is also about giving to others. And we don’t want to forget about the children; there is nothing better than seeing the excitement of a child during the holidays.
Fire Departments across the country collect toys and clothing for children in their community whose parents may need a little extra support at the holidays and want to be able to give their child some joy.The holidays can be a financial and emotional challenge for families already struggling with money.Firefighter toy drives have evolved over the years, from small donation events to large drives helping thousands of families and providing toys and clothing to thousands upon thousands of children.Firefighters know first-hand how a child can be devasted with the loss of a much-loved toy due to a fire.
Many drives were impacted or had to be suspended in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic.With the economic hardships endured by so many, departments are looking forward to the 2021 toy drives and being able to provide fun and excitement tochildren in need. Families generally will need to put in an application for need via a registration process through the Fire Department running the program.
There are also other organizations who provide for children during the holidays as well. Many Police Departments have a Shop with a Cop program whereby children get to go holiday shopping with a deputy or officer to buy gifts for themselves and/or the family. The U.S. marines has their Toys for Tots program which serves more than 7 million children a year. The Salvation Army has its Angel Tree where you can pick an ornament off the tree with a specific gift request for a specific child that you go and buy and return to the Salvation Army. These are just a few of the many ways to give to a child this season.
HAIX is thrilled to be participating in this year’s Lexington Fraternal Order of Firefighter’s Toy Program. Lexington’s FOF Toy Program is now in its 91st year and has provided so many toys and joys to area children over its long tenure. HAIX donated 1000 backpacks for the event and isalso collecting new, unwrapped toys in the HAIX storefront at 2320 Fortune Drive in Lexington. Toys can also be dropped off at any Fire Station in the Lexington area. Buy a toy and make a needy child’s Christmas a little bit brighter.