Firefighters to gather donations this Saturday for Toys for Tots

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Barren River Fire Department and Hadley Fire Department partnered with Toys for Tots to “Fire Up for Christmas.”

The toy drive and Buck in a Boot is not only a great way to give back to kids across south-central Kentucky that may not get Christmas presents. It also gives the community a chance to give back.

Janel Doyle, coordinator for Toys for Tots, says, “We all have to come together as a community to make this work. And we have been working all year with Toys for Tots to gather toys and monetary donations. But now the closer we get to Christmas, we have to put that push on. We know there’s going to be a bigger need this year because there is every year.”

Brad Frogge, assistant chief with the Barren River Fire Department, says the donations will go to ensuring a child that may not have something to open on Christmas will have a gift to open.

Frogge says, “We see a lot of kids in and engage in the public on in an emergency situation, you know, knowing that we have this positive impact outside of an emergency situation or a bad situation, it’s it’ll be an amazing feeling.”

While nothing beats opening a gigantic gift on Christmas, presents don’t have to be extravagant or expensive – there’s always a need to stuff a few stockings.

Doyle says they are currently in need of gifts for ages nine to 12 for girls and boys. They also need some dollar items for stocking stuffers, and, of course, anything that you see that you think a child might like to open that will bring the joy of a toy.

To contribute a donation, head to the Walmart off of Morgantown Road this Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where Hadley and Barren River firefighters will be accepting both toys and monetary donations.