A firefighter test rides a bicycle during a purchase of toys as part of the annual Toys for Joy drive in Kent and Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

A firefighter test rides a bicycle during a purchase of toys as part of the annual Toys for Joy drive in Kent and Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

Toys for Joy drive in Kent to provide 500 children with gifts

Community donated more than $17,000 to buy toys

The annual Kent firefighters Toys for Joy program will enable 500 children from 300 families to receive gifts this year through the Kent Food Bank.

Reddaway Kent and the National Guard helped haul and unload gifts Friday, Dec. 18 at Kent Lutheran Church for distribution through the Kent Food Bank.

The drive was much different this year since people could not drop off toys at Puget Sound fire stations due to COVID-19 restrictions.

But donations of more than $17,000 from the communities of Kent and Covington led to firefighters purchasing $7,200 of toys and gifts at Target in Kent and another $6,000 worth at Fred Meyer in Covington, according to Puget Sound Fire.

The remaining balance, as well as the cash donation from the Kent Firefighter Foundation will be donated to the local food banks early next week.




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Volunteers dropped off toys Dec. 18 at Kent Lutheran Church from the annual Kent firefighters Toys of Joy drive to be distributed to children through the Kent Food Bank. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

Volunteers dropped off toys Dec. 18 at Kent Lutheran Church from the annual Kent firefighters Toys of Joy drive to be distributed to children through the Kent Food Bank. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

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