SoKY’s Choice: Toys for Tots partners with local firefighters for Christmas drive

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – Local firefighters helped Toys for Tots prepare for Christmas, teaming up Saturday for the third annual “Firing Up for Christmas” at Walmart on Morgantown Road.

The event brought together Toys for Tots, the Barren River and Hadley volunteer fire departments and Walmart, which provided a $2,000 grant for the effort.

Janel Doyle, Toys for Tots coordinator, said the organization uses the event to focus on children in age groups that can be more difficult to provide for.

“We’re always low on 0 to 2 and then on 10 to 12,” Doyle said.

Doyle said Toys for Tots has been working throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. The organization says it has already served about 8,000 children this year, including children displaced by fires, and also supports foster children.

“We have chose to be a year round force for good,” Doyle said.

Barren River Fire Department Deputy Chief Brad Frogge said the partnership gives firefighters another way to serve their community.

“The partnership between the fire department and toys for tots is an amazing partnership,” Frogge said. “It just goes beyond the call of service for emergency situations. It’s that positive impact in the community.”

Frogge said firefighters have also helped Toys for Tots deliver toys in the past when personnel are available.

For Frogge, the opportunity to help children is at the heart of the event.

“This is what the job truly is about,” he said. “That we can help the kids, in a positive aspect and give them something to look forward to on Christmas morning.”